Sympistis augustus - Hodges#10096
Sympistis augustus
This record describes Sympistis augustus (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Identification notes
Confirmed by Chuck Harp.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Oncocnemidinae
- Genus
- Sympistis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Widespread throughout western North America. ( 4 ) , ( 5 )
Seasonal Activity
The main flight period is August to November. ( 4 ) , ( 3 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Host plant unknown but thought to be Penstemon spp. ( 3 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Sympistis augustus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Sympistis augustus - Hodges#10096 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Sympistis augustus - Hodges#10096
How big is Sympistis augustus - Hodges#10096?
Forewing length 13-16 mm. ( 3 ) Wingspan 34-36 mm.
How do you identify Sympistis augustus - Hodges#10096?
Confirmed by Chuck Harp.
Where is Sympistis augustus - Hodges#10096 found?
Range: Widespread throughout western North America. ( 4 ) , ( 5 )
What does Sympistis augustus - Hodges#10096 eat?
The diet of the Sympistis augustus - Hodges#10096 includes Host plant unknown but thought to be Penstemon spp. ( 3 ).
When is Sympistis augustus - Hodges#10096 active?
Sympistis augustus - Hodges#10096: seasonal activity - The main flight period is August to November. ( 4 ) , ( 3 ).