LepidopteraNoctuidae – Owlet Moths

Sympistis figurata - Hodges#10130

Sympistis figurata

This record describes Sympistis figurata (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Sympistis figurata - Hodges#10130 - Sympistis figurata
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris

The basal dash on the forewing is distinctive.

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

California to New Mexico and Colorado, north to Alberta and British Columbia. ( 4 ) Holotype collected in "Nevada".

Seasonal Activity

The main flight period appears to be April to August. ( 4 )

Diet and Behavior

Diet: The host plant is not mentioned in any recent publications but expected to be Symphoricarpos species (snowberry) as in related species. ( 3 )

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Sympistis figurata. 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.

Explore Lepidoptera families and species →

Photos of Sympistis figurata - Hodges#10130 (5)

Sympistis figurata - Hodges#10130 - photo 1
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Sympistis figurata - Hodges#10130 - photo 2
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Sympistis figurata - Hodges#10130 - photo 3
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Sympistis figurata - Hodges#10130 - photo 4
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Sympistis figurata - Hodges#10130 - photo 5
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris

Frequently Asked Questions About Sympistis figurata - Hodges#10130

What is Sympistis figurata - Hodges#10130?

Sympistis figurata - Hodges#10130 (Sympistis figurata) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.

How big is Sympistis figurata - Hodges#10130?

Forewing length 13-15 mm. ( 3 )

How do you identify Sympistis figurata - Hodges#10130?

The basal dash on the forewing is distinctive.

Where is Sympistis figurata - Hodges#10130 found?

Range: California to New Mexico and Colorado, north to Alberta and British Columbia. ( 4 ) Holotype collected in Nevada.

What does Sympistis figurata - Hodges#10130 eat?

The diet of the Sympistis figurata - Hodges#10130 includes The host plant is not mentioned in any recent publications but expected to be Symphoricarpos species (snowberry) as in related species. ( 3 ).

When is Sympistis figurata - Hodges#10130 active?

Sympistis figurata - Hodges#10130: seasonal activity - The main flight period appears to be April to August. ( 4 ).

How we use and review source data. Source count does not imply independent verification.

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.