Sympistis mut - Hodges#10135.6
Sympistis mut
This record describes Sympistis mut (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Very similar to Sympistis major (see detailed description of major at Pacific Northwest Moths ) Male hindwing of mut pure white with row of black scales along outer margin and a few black scales on veins; female hindwing white with wide grayish brown marginal band and dark veins
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
extreme southwest California
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Sympistis mut. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sympistis mut - Hodges#10135.6
What is Sympistis mut - Hodges#10135.6?
Sympistis mut - Hodges#10135.6 (Sympistis mut) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Sympistis mut - Hodges#10135.6?
Forewing length 16-19 mm
How do you identify Sympistis mut - Hodges#10135.6?
Very similar to Sympistis major (see detailed description of major at Pacific Northwest Moths ) Male hindwing of mut pure white with row of black scales along outer margin and a few black scales on veins; female hindwing white with wide grayish brown marginal band and dark veins
Where is Sympistis mut - Hodges#10135.6 found?
Range: extreme southwest California