Syngrapha altera - Hodges#8925
Syngrapha altera
This record describes Syngrapha altera (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
best to confirm ID by genitalia dissection see Remarks under Syngrapha ( 3 ) for separating altera from similar species, based on genitalia.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Plusiinae
- Tribe
- Plusiini
- Genus
- Syngrapha
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Eichlin & Cunningham reported the range to include Nova Scotia to Ontario, south to New York and Michigan. McAlpine et al. reported Nova Scotia to eastern Quebec. Holotype ♀, collected by Rodrigues Ottolengui, 22-VIII-1888, Lake Nipigon, Ontario, in American Museum of Natural History (AMNH).
Seasonal Activity
The flight period is June to September. ( 6 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Eichlin & Cunningham (1978) reported the host plant is unknown. ( 4 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Syngrapha altera. 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 Syngrapha altera - Hodges#8925 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Tony-2
Frequently Asked Questions About Syngrapha altera - Hodges#8925
What is Syngrapha altera - Hodges#8925?
Syngrapha altera - Hodges#8925 (Syngrapha altera) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Syngrapha altera - Hodges#8925?
The wingspan averages 29-34 mm. Ottolengui reported a wingspan of 29 mm. (forewing length of 15 mm.)
How do you identify Syngrapha altera - Hodges#8925?
best to confirm ID by genitalia dissection see Remarks under Syngrapha ( 3 ) for separating altera from similar species, based on genitalia.
Where is Syngrapha altera - Hodges#8925 found?
Range: Eichlin & Cunningham reported the range to include Nova Scotia to Ontario, south to New York and Michigan. McAlpine et al. reported Nova Scotia to eastern Quebec. Holotype ♀, collected by Rodrigues Ottolengui, 22-VIII-1888, Lake Nipigon, Ontario, in American Museum of Natural History (AMNH).
What does Syngrapha altera - Hodges#8925 eat?
The diet of the Syngrapha altera - Hodges#8925 includes Eichlin & Cunningham (1978) reported the host plant is unknown. ( 4 ).
When is Syngrapha altera - Hodges#8925 active?
Syngrapha altera - Hodges#8925: seasonal activity - The flight period is June to September. ( 6 ).