Trichopolia alfkenii - Hodges#10559
Trichopolia alfkenii
This record describes Trichopolia alfkenii (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Specimens identified by DNA analysis: Genitalia:
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Eriopygini
- Genus
- Trichopolia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Grasslands and riparian habitats.
Geographic Range
Southern Oregon south through California, west to western Texas, Colorado, Nevada. ,
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Probably a generalist on many kinds of herbaceous plants. ,
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Named in honor of Johann Dietrich Alfken (1862-1945), a German entomologist who specialized in Hymenoptera.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Trichopolia alfkenii. 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 Trichopolia alfkenii - Hodges#10559 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by john and jane balaban , Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Trichopolia alfkenii - Hodges#10559
What is Trichopolia alfkenii - Hodges#10559?
Trichopolia alfkenii - Hodges#10559 (Trichopolia alfkenii) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Trichopolia alfkenii - Hodges#10559?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | Wingspan about 25 mm. |
| Forewing | Forewing length 12-14 mm. Larva to about 28 mm. |
How do you identify Trichopolia alfkenii - Hodges#10559?
Specimens identified by DNA analysis: Genitalia:
Where is Trichopolia alfkenii - Hodges#10559 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Grasslands and riparian habitats. |
| Range | Southern Oregon south through California, west to western Texas, Colorado, Nevada. |
What does Trichopolia alfkenii - Hodges#10559 eat?
The diet of the Trichopolia alfkenii - Hodges#10559 includes Probably a generalist on many kinds of herbaceous plants. ,.