Sympistis heliophila - Hodges#10156
Sympistis heliophila
This record describes Sympistis heliophila (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Detailed description: Specimen identified by Lars Crabo. Day-flying moth ( diurnal ).
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
Occurs in dry shrubland and open forests.
Geographic Range
Holarctic, occurring around the world across the subarctic regions. Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
Seasonal Activity
Most records are from June to August. ( 3 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval hosts include: Empetrum L. sp. (crowberry) Vaccinium L. sp. (dwarf huckleberries) Adults take nectar at the blooms.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Sympistis heliophila. 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 heliophila - Hodges#10156 (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Sympistis heliophila - Hodges#10156
What is Sympistis heliophila - Hodges#10156?
Sympistis heliophila - Hodges#10156 (Sympistis heliophila) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Sympistis heliophila - Hodges#10156?
Forewing length 9-11 mm
How do you identify Sympistis heliophila - Hodges#10156?
Detailed description: Specimen identified by Lars Crabo.
Where is Sympistis heliophila - Hodges#10156 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Occurs in dry shrubland and open forests. |
| Range | Holarctic, occurring around the world across the subarctic regions. Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data. |
What does Sympistis heliophila - Hodges#10156 eat?
The diet of the Sympistis heliophila - Hodges#10156 includes Larval hosts include: Empetrum L. sp. (crowberry) Vaccinium L. sp. (dwarf huckleberries) Adults take nectar at the blooms..
When is Sympistis heliophila - Hodges#10156 active?
Sympistis heliophila - Hodges#10156: seasonal activity - Most records are from June to August. ( 3 ).