Sympistis iricolor - Hodges#10092
Sympistis iricolor
This record describes Sympistis iricolor (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
Geographic Range
Western North America. ( 4 ) Smith (1893) reported the type specimens from Denver, Colorado (September, October). ( 5 )
Seasonal Activity
The main flight period appears to be August October. ( 3 ) , ( 4 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The host plant is thought to be Penstemon spp. ( 3 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Sympistis iricolor. 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 iricolor - Hodges#10092 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Sympistis iricolor - Hodges#10092
How big is Sympistis iricolor - Hodges#10092?
Forewing length 13-15 mm. ( 3 ) Smith (1888) reported the wingspan 31-32 mm.
Where is Sympistis iricolor - Hodges#10092 found?
Range: Western North America. ( 4 ) Smith (1893) reported the type specimens from Denver, Colorado (September, October). ( 5 )
What does Sympistis iricolor - Hodges#10092 eat?
The diet of the Sympistis iricolor - Hodges#10092 includes The host plant is thought to be Penstemon spp. ( 3 ).
When is Sympistis iricolor - Hodges#10092 active?
Sympistis iricolor - Hodges#10092: seasonal activity - The main flight period appears to be August October. ( 3 ) , ( 4 ).