Sympistis helena - Hodges#10118.2
Sympistis helena
This record describes Sympistis helena (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
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
high elevations of the southern Sierra Nevada; open pine forest at 2000 meters elevation
Geographic Range
southern California - San Bernadino, Mono and Inyo counties
Seasonal Activity
late June and July
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Sympistis helena. 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 helena - Hodges#10118.2 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Sympistis helena - Hodges#10118.2
How big is Sympistis helena - Hodges#10118.2?
Forewing length 17-18 mm
Where is Sympistis helena - Hodges#10118.2 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | high elevations of the southern Sierra Nevada; open pine forest at 2000 meters elevation |
| Range | southern California - San Bernadino, Mono and Inyo counties |
When is Sympistis helena - Hodges#10118.2 active?
Sympistis helena - Hodges#10118.2: seasonal activity - late June and July.