Exposed Bird Dropping Moth - Hodges#9136
Tarache aprica
This record describes Tarache aprica (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD) from Mark Dreiling female . . . . . . male
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Acontiinae
- Tribe
- Acontiini
- Genus
- Tarache
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
gardens, fields, open areas; adults can be flushed from plants during the day
Geographic Range
mostly: e US to s. CA - Map (MPG)
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from March to September in the south; reduced season in the north
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on leaves of Hollyhock ( Alcea rosea )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Tarache aprica. 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 Exposed Bird Dropping Moth - Hodges#9136 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Chuck Entz , Mike Quinn , Maury Heiman , Chris Grinter , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Exposed Bird Dropping Moth - Hodges#9136
What is Exposed Bird Dropping Moth - Hodges#9136?
Exposed Bird Dropping Moth - Hodges#9136 (Tarache aprica) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Exposed Bird Dropping Moth - Hodges#9136?
wingspan 15-29 mm
How do you identify Exposed Bird Dropping Moth - Hodges#9136?
specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD) from Mark Dreiling female . . . . . . male
Where is Exposed Bird Dropping Moth - Hodges#9136 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | gardens, fields, open areas; adults can be flushed from plants during the day |
| Range | mostly: e US to s. CA - Map (MPG) |
What does Exposed Bird Dropping Moth - Hodges#9136 eat?
The diet of the Exposed Bird Dropping Moth - Hodges#9136 includes larvae feed on leaves of Hollyhock ( Alcea rosea ).
When is Exposed Bird Dropping Moth - Hodges#9136 active?
Exposed Bird Dropping Moth - Hodges#9136: seasonal activity - adults fly from March to September in the south; reduced season in the north.