Spruce False Looper - Hodges#8929
Syngrapha viridisigma
This record describes Syngrapha viridisigma (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
- Plusiinae
- Tribe
- Plusiini
- Genus
- Syngrapha
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Coniferous forests (E.H. Strickland Museum).
Geographic Range
Canada and Alaska; south to New York and Wisconsin; Washington southeast to Arizona and New Mexico (Eichlin & Cunningham, 1978).
Seasonal Activity
mid July to early Sept
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on a variety of coniferous trees, including spruce ( Picea ), fir ( Abies ), Douglas-fir ( Pseudotsuga ), pine ( Pinus ), tamarack ( Larix ), and cedar ( Thuja ). However, spruces and firs are by far the most frequently recorded hosts (Prentice, 1962).
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Syngrapha viridisigma. 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 Spruce False Looper - Hodges#8929 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , Randy Hardy , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Spruce False Looper - Hodges#8929
How big is Spruce False Looper - Hodges#8929?
Forewing length 18-21 mm
Where is Spruce False Looper - Hodges#8929 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Coniferous forests (E.H. Strickland Museum). |
| Range | Canada and Alaska; south to New York and Wisconsin; Washington southeast to Arizona and New Mexico (Eichlin & Cunningham, 1978). |
What does Spruce False Looper - Hodges#8929 eat?
The diet of the Spruce False Looper - Hodges#8929 includes Larvae feed on a variety of coniferous trees, including spruce ( Picea ), fir ( Abies ), Douglas-fir ( Pseudotsuga ), pine ( Pinus ), tamarack ( Larix ), and cedar ( Thuja ). However, spruces and firs are by far the most frequently recorded hosts (Prentice, 1962)..
When is Spruce False Looper - Hodges#8929 active?
Spruce False Looper - Hodges#8929: seasonal activity - mid July to early Sept.