Pine Barrens Zale - Hodges#8713
Zale lunifera
This record describes Zale lunifera (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult : Markings and coloration similar to Z. intenta , except smaller and AM line has a more pronounced medial angle . The fine black striae are less developed and thinner. Small, black orbicular spot is distinct, sharply contrasting. ST area concolourous with medial area, never contrastingly paler with strong striae. Z. intenta applies to the widespread species, whereas true Z. lunifera is the species with a more restricted occurrence east and south of the Appalachians (Schmidt, 2010) - photos on BugGuide may need to be reviewed and re-determined.
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
Geographic Range
Maine to Florida, west to at least Mississippi (Wagner, 2011).
Seasonal Activity
Flies April-May and July-August (Covell, 1984).
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on scrub oak species and blackjack (Wagner, 2011).
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Zale lunifera. 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 Pine Barrens Zale - Hodges#8713 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Troy Bartlett; Additional contributions by Nick Block , Ron M. , Robert Lord Zimlich , Randy Hardy , teakh
Frequently Asked Questions About Pine Barrens Zale - Hodges#8713
What is Pine Barrens Zale - Hodges#8713?
Pine Barrens Zale - Hodges#8713 (Zale lunifera) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Pine Barrens Zale - Hodges#8713?
Wingspan 3.7-4.5cm (Covell, 1984).
How do you identify Pine Barrens Zale - Hodges#8713?
Adult : Markings and coloration similar to Z. intenta , except smaller and AM line has a more pronounced medial angle . The fine black striae are less developed and thinner. Small, black orbicular spot is distinct, sharply contrasting. ST area concolourous with medial area, never contrastingly paler with strong striae.
Where is Pine Barrens Zale - Hodges#8713 found?
Range: Maine to Florida, west to at least Mississippi (Wagner, 2011).
What does Pine Barrens Zale - Hodges#8713 eat?
The diet of the Pine Barrens Zale - Hodges#8713 includes Larvae feed on scrub oak species and blackjack (Wagner, 2011)..
When is Pine Barrens Zale - Hodges#8713 active?
Pine Barrens Zale - Hodges#8713: seasonal activity - Flies April-May and July-August (Covell, 1984)..