Sympistis cottami - Hodges#10129
Sympistis cottami
This record describes Sympistis cottami (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
From Blanchard : Oncocnemis cottami is very close to O. atricollaris Harvey. The transverse lines of atricollaris are generally well marked, sometime only partly traceable, rarely completely obsolete; the part of the reniform which falls below the upper black fascia generally shows as a pure white small pupil; the white median band of the collar appears narrower because its top half is much soiled with brown scalcs. If all three of these characters appear doubtful, one has to rely on the genitalia to remove all doubt.
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
Open to semi-open pinyon-oak-juniper woodland.
Geographic Range
Described from specimens in and around the Chisos Mountains, Big Bend NP.
Seasonal Activity
Flight period March to August.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Patronymic for Dr. Clarence Cottam, former director of the Rob & Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation, Sinton, TX.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Sympistis cottami. 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 cottami - Hodges#10129 (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Tim Loh; Additional contributions by Chuck Sexton , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Sympistis cottami - Hodges#10129
What is Sympistis cottami - Hodges#10129?
Sympistis cottami - Hodges#10129 (Sympistis cottami) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Sympistis cottami - Hodges#10129?
FW 13-14 mm.
How do you identify Sympistis cottami - Hodges#10129?
From Blanchard : Oncocnemis cottami is very close to O. atricollaris Harvey. The transverse lines of atricollaris are generally well marked, sometime only partly traceable, rarely completely obsolete; the part of the reniform which falls below the upper black fascia generally shows as a pure white small pupil; the white median band of the collar appears narrower because its top half is much soiled with brown scalcs. If all three of these characters appear doubtful, one has to rely on the genitalia to remove all doubt.
Where is Sympistis cottami - Hodges#10129 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Open to semi-open pinyon-oak-juniper woodland. |
| Range | Described from specimens in and around the Chisos Mountains, Big Bend NP. |
When is Sympistis cottami - Hodges#10129 active?
Sympistis cottami - Hodges#10129: seasonal activity - Flight period March to August..