LepidopteraNoctuidae – Owlet Moths

Tesagrotis piscipellis - Hodges#10978

Tesagrotis piscipellis

This record describes Tesagrotis piscipellis (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Tesagrotis piscipellis - Hodges#10978 - Tesagrotis piscipellis
Contributed by Steve Morris; Additional contributions by Robert H. Biagi

Description can be found in MONA Fascicle 27-3 at link in citations below. Genitalia:

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily
Noctuoidea
Family
Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
Subfamily
Noctuinae
Tribe
Noctuini
Genus
Tesagrotis

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

widespread in western states; several forms based upon geographic location

Seasonal Activity

July to late September

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Tesagrotis piscipellis. 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.

Explore Lepidoptera families and species →

Photos of Tesagrotis piscipellis - Hodges#10978 (5)

Tesagrotis piscipellis - Hodges#10978 - photo 1
Contributed by Steve Morris; Additional contributions by Robert H. Biagi
Tesagrotis piscipellis - Hodges#10978 - photo 2
Contributed by Steve Morris; Additional contributions by Robert H. Biagi
Tesagrotis piscipellis - Hodges#10978 - photo 3
Contributed by Steve Morris; Additional contributions by Robert H. Biagi
Tesagrotis piscipellis - Hodges#10978 - photo 4
Contributed by Steve Morris; Additional contributions by Robert H. Biagi
Tesagrotis piscipellis - Hodges#10978 - photo 5
Contributed by Steve Morris; Additional contributions by Robert H. Biagi

Photo credits: Contributed by Steve Morris; Additional contributions by Robert H. Biagi

Frequently Asked Questions About Tesagrotis piscipellis - Hodges#10978

What is Tesagrotis piscipellis - Hodges#10978?

Tesagrotis piscipellis - Hodges#10978 (Tesagrotis piscipellis) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.

How do you identify Tesagrotis piscipellis - Hodges#10978?

Description can be found in MONA Fascicle 27-3 at link in citations below. Genitalia:

Where is Tesagrotis piscipellis - Hodges#10978 found?

Range: widespread in western states; several forms based upon geographic location

When is Tesagrotis piscipellis - Hodges#10978 active?

Tesagrotis piscipellis - Hodges#10978: seasonal activity - July to late September.

How we use and review source data. Source count does not imply independent verification.

Photo credits: Contributed by Steve Morris; Additional contributions by Robert H. Biagi. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.