Trichopolia melanopis - Hodges#10566
Trichopolia melanopis
This record describes Trichopolia melanopis (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult - pale gray-brown forewing with contrasting reniform and orbicular spots.
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
Geographic Range
West Texas to southern Arizona, north to southern Utah. Mexico. * MPG range map
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly late February to early May and mid-August to late September.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Trichopolia melanopis. 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 melanopis - Hodges#10566 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Tim Loh; Additional contributions by john and jane balaban , Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Trichopolia melanopis - Hodges#10566
What is Trichopolia melanopis - Hodges#10566?
Trichopolia melanopis - Hodges#10566 (Trichopolia melanopis) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Trichopolia melanopis - Hodges#10566?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | Wingspan about 24-27 mm. |
| Forewing | Forewing length 11-14 mm. Godfrey reported the larva mature to 25-30 mm. |
How do you identify Trichopolia melanopis - Hodges#10566?
Adult - pale gray-brown forewing with contrasting reniform and orbicular spots.
Where is Trichopolia melanopis - Hodges#10566 found?
Range: West Texas to southern Arizona, north to southern Utah. Mexico. * MPG range map
When is Trichopolia melanopis - Hodges#10566 active?
Trichopolia melanopis - Hodges#10566: seasonal activity - Adults fly late February to early May and mid-August to late September..