Sympistis columbia - Hodges#10118
Sympistis columbia
This record describes Sympistis columbia (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
See identification information at Pacific Northwest Moths (PNWM) ( 4 ) .
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
Habitat
"This species is relatively common in mixed hardwood-conifer forests at middle to high elevations in the Cascades and Rocky Mountains" ( 4 ) .
Geographic Range
From British Columbia south to at least Mono County, California ( 3 ) .
Seasonal Activity
Larvae active during June and July, adults on wing from early July to September ( 3 ) , ( 4 ) .
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Oceanspray ( Holodiscus discolor ) ( 3 ) , ( 4 ) .
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Sympistis columbia. 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 columbia - Hodges#10118 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Kyhl Austin
Frequently Asked Questions About Sympistis columbia - Hodges#10118
What is Sympistis columbia - Hodges#10118?
Sympistis columbia - Hodges#10118 (Sympistis columbia) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Sympistis columbia - Hodges#10118?
FWL: 14 to 15 mm ( 3 ) .
How do you identify Sympistis columbia - Hodges#10118?
See identification information at Pacific Northwest Moths (PNWM) ( 4 ) .
Where is Sympistis columbia - Hodges#10118 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | This species is relatively common in mixed hardwood-conifer forests at middle to high elevations in the Cascades and Rocky Mountains ( 4 ) . |
| Range | From British Columbia south to at least Mono County, California ( 3 ) . |
What does Sympistis columbia - Hodges#10118 eat?
The diet of the Sympistis columbia - Hodges#10118 includes Oceanspray ( Holodiscus discolor ) ( 3 ) , ( 4 ) ..
When is Sympistis columbia - Hodges#10118 active?
Sympistis columbia - Hodges#10118: seasonal activity - Larvae active during June and July, adults on wing from early July to September ( 3 ) , ( 4 ) ..