Sympistis poliochroa - Hodges#10094.4
Sympistis poliochroa
This record describes Sympistis poliochroa (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Original description as Oncocnemis poliochroa Hampson, is available at the link in the print references below.
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
California to Colorado and northward. , , Moth Photographers Group map
Seasonal Activity
Records of adults are mostly from August to September. ( 3 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval host is unknown but Penstemon species are likely.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Sympistis poliochroa. 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 poliochroa - Hodges#10094.4 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Robert Lord Zimlich
Frequently Asked Questions About Sympistis poliochroa - Hodges#10094.4
What is Sympistis poliochroa - Hodges#10094.4?
Sympistis poliochroa - Hodges#10094.4 (Sympistis poliochroa) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Sympistis poliochroa - Hodges#10094.4?
Wingspan 36 mm. (Hampson)
How do you identify Sympistis poliochroa - Hodges#10094.4?
Original description as Oncocnemis poliochroa Hampson, is available at the link in the print references below.
Where is Sympistis poliochroa - Hodges#10094.4 found?
Range: California to Colorado and northward. , , Moth Photographers Group map
What does Sympistis poliochroa - Hodges#10094.4 eat?
The diet of the Sympistis poliochroa - Hodges#10094.4 includes Larval host is unknown but Penstemon species are likely..
When is Sympistis poliochroa - Hodges#10094.4 active?
Sympistis poliochroa - Hodges#10094.4: seasonal activity - Records of adults are mostly from August to September. ( 3 ).