LepidopteraNoctuidae – Owlet Moths

Sympistis induta - Hodges#10060

Sympistis induta

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

Identification and Appearance

Sympistis induta - Hodges#10060 - Sympistis induta
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

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

Texas to Missouri and Oklahoma.

Seasonal Activity

The main flight period appears to be April to May.

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Sympistis induta. 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 induta - Hodges#10060 (2)

Sympistis induta - Hodges#10060 - photo 1
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Sympistis induta - Hodges#10060 - photo 2
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Frequently Asked Questions About Sympistis induta - Hodges#10060

How big is Sympistis induta - Hodges#10060?

Wingspan 32-34 mm.

Where is Sympistis induta - Hodges#10060 found?

Range: Texas to Missouri and Oklahoma.

When is Sympistis induta - Hodges#10060 active?

Sympistis induta - Hodges#10060: seasonal activity - The main flight period appears to be April to May..

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

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