Smoky Tetanolita - Hodges#8366
Tetanolita mynesalis
This record describes Tetanolita mynesalis (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Large yellow reniform spot contrasts with the dark forewing. Hindwing is grayish brown with dark lines. Genitalia: ♂
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Erebidae
- Subfamily
- Herminiinae
- Genus
- Tetanolita
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Deciduous forests
Geographic Range
Eastern North America MPG Distribution Map
Seasonal Activity
May-November
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Larva likely feeds on dead leaves.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Tetanolita mynesalis. 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 Smoky Tetanolita - Hodges#8366 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by cotinis , Steve Nanz , Maury Heiman , Robert Lord Zimlich , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Smoky Tetanolita - Hodges#8366
What is Smoky Tetanolita - Hodges#8366?
Smoky Tetanolita - Hodges#8366 (Tetanolita mynesalis) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Smoky Tetanolita - Hodges#8366?
20-25 mm wingspan
How do you identify Smoky Tetanolita - Hodges#8366?
Large yellow reniform spot contrasts with the dark forewing. Hindwing is grayish brown with dark lines. Genitalia: ♂
Where is Smoky Tetanolita - Hodges#8366 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Deciduous forests |
| Range | Eastern North America MPG Distribution Map |
When is Smoky Tetanolita - Hodges#8366 active?
Smoky Tetanolita - Hodges#8366: seasonal activity - May-November.
What is the life cycle of a Smoky Tetanolita - Hodges#8366?
Larva likely feeds on dead leaves.