Brown-spotted Zale - Hodges#8704
Zale helata
This record describes Zale helata (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Warm brown coloration, zig-zag lines. This species listed in Covell ( 6 ) apparently represents a complex of pine-feeding Zales that can only be identified based on genitalia. ( See notes under photograph .) Since that sort of detail is a little beyond the scope of BugGuide, I am listing this group under Z. helata.
Identification notes
Warm brown coloration, zig-zag lines.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Erebidae
- Subfamily
- Erebinae
- Tribe
- Omopterini
- Genus
- Zale
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Zale helata occurs in barens and pine woodlands. ( 4 )
Geographic Range
Manitoba to Maine, southe to northern Alabama and reportedly to Texas ( 4 )
Seasonal Activity
The adults appear to be most common from May to July. ( 5 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The larvae feed on both hard and soft pines, rarely larch. ( 4 )
Life History
Larva; adult
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Zale helata. 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 Brown-spotted Zale - Hodges#8704 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , JohnMaxwell22 , marcie oconnor , Randy Hardy , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Brown-spotted Zale - Hodges#8704
What is Brown-spotted Zale - Hodges#8704?
Brown-spotted Zale - Hodges#8704 (Zale helata) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Brown-spotted Zale - Hodges#8704?
Wingspan 35-41 mm. ( 3 )
How do you identify Brown-spotted Zale - Hodges#8704?
Warm brown coloration, zig-zag lines.
Where is Brown-spotted Zale - Hodges#8704 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Zale helata occurs in barens and pine woodlands. ( 4 ) |
| Range | Manitoba to Maine, southe to northern Alabama and reportedly to Texas ( 4 ) |
What does Brown-spotted Zale - Hodges#8704 eat?
The diet of the Brown-spotted Zale - Hodges#8704 includes The larvae feed on both hard and soft pines, rarely larch. ( 4 ).
When is Brown-spotted Zale - Hodges#8704 active?
Brown-spotted Zale - Hodges#8704: seasonal activity - The adults appear to be most common from May to July. ( 5 ).
What is the life cycle of a Brown-spotted Zale - Hodges#8704?
Larva; adult