Dusky Silver Y - Hodges#8926
Syngrapha octoscripta
This record describes Syngrapha octoscripta (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
see Remarks under Syngrapha for separating octoscripta 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
Habitat
Dry coniferous and mixedwood boreal forest; dry, sandy grasslands (E.H. Strickland Museum).
Geographic Range
Newfoundland west to central Alaska and Vancouver Island, from treeline in the north, south to the southern Prairie provinces in the west and Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey in the east (E.H. Strickland Museum).
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly from June to August.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on leaves of blueberry ( Vaccinium spp.) (Eichlin & Cunningham, 1978). Perhaps the host is bearberry/manzanita ( Arctostaphylos spp.) in its range where blueberry is not present (E.H. Strickland Museum).
Life History
Single brood per year; adults are nocturnal and come to light.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Syngrapha octoscripta. 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 Dusky Silver Y - Hodges#8926 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jason D. Roberts; Additional contributions by Robin McLeod , Tony-2 , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Dusky Silver Y - Hodges#8926
What is Dusky Silver Y - Hodges#8926?
Dusky Silver Y - Hodges#8926 (Syngrapha octoscripta) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Dusky Silver Y - Hodges#8926?
wingspan 34-36 mm (E.H. Strickland Museum)
How do you identify Dusky Silver Y - Hodges#8926?
see Remarks under Syngrapha for separating octoscripta from similar species, based on genitalia.
Where is Dusky Silver Y - Hodges#8926 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Dry coniferous and mixedwood boreal forest; dry, sandy grasslands (E.H. Strickland Museum). |
| Range | Newfoundland west to central Alaska and Vancouver Island, from treeline in the north, south to the southern Prairie provinces in the west and Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey in the east (E.H. Strickland Museum). |
What does Dusky Silver Y - Hodges#8926 eat?
The diet of the Dusky Silver Y - Hodges#8926 includes Larvae feed on leaves of blueberry ( Vaccinium spp.) (Eichlin & Cunningham, 1978). Perhaps the host is bearberry/manzanita ( Arctostaphylos spp.) in its range where blueberry is not present (E.H. Strickland Museum)..
When is Dusky Silver Y - Hodges#8926 active?
Dusky Silver Y - Hodges#8926: seasonal activity - Adults fly from June to August..
What is the life cycle of a Dusky Silver Y - Hodges#8926?
Single brood per year; adults are nocturnal and come to light.