Wavy-lined Zanclognatha - Hodges#8353
Zanclognatha jacchusalis
This record describes Zanclognatha jacchusalis (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing grayish-brown to yellowish-brown; antemedial (AM) and postmedial (PM) lines wavy or jagged, usually noticeable; subterminal (ST) line thin and pale, bordered proximally by darker shading along its length; hindwing a mix of light brown and whitish shading, with pale yellow ST line and dark median line; fringe checkered on all wings
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Erebidae
- Subfamily
- Herminiinae
- Genus
- Zanclognatha
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
All of southern Canada. In western North America, range includes Washington and Oregon (ssp. bryanti ). In eastern North America, range extends to Gulf Coast States including eastern Texas.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae probably feed on dead leaves
Life History
Larva; adult
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: "Reidentification of the type specimen of Zanclognatha jacchusalis results in the name Z. marcidilinea being used for the species formerly known Z. jacchusalis . Zanclognatha marcidilinea is the species with a pale gray-brown forewing with the maculation reduced except for a contrasting yellow subterminal line (Lafontaine and Honey 2009)." "The identity of the only extant type specimen of Zanclognatha jacchusalis , designated as letotype by Lafontaine and Honey, results in the name Z. ochreipennis being relegated to the synonymy of Z. jacchusalis . Zanclognatha jacchusalis has an orange-brown forewing heavily speckled with black and prominent maculation."
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Zanclognatha jacchusalis. 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 Wavy-lined Zanclognatha - Hodges#8353 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Tony-2 , Jason D. Roberts , marcie oconnor
Frequently Asked Questions About Wavy-lined Zanclognatha - Hodges#8353
What is Wavy-lined Zanclognatha - Hodges#8353?
Wavy-lined Zanclognatha - Hodges#8353 (Zanclognatha jacchusalis) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Wavy-lined Zanclognatha - Hodges#8353?
wingspan 28-31 mm
How do you identify Wavy-lined Zanclognatha - Hodges#8353?
Adult: forewing grayish-brown to yellowish-brown; antemedial (AM) and postmedial (PM) lines wavy or jagged, usually noticeable; subterminal (ST) line thin and pale, bordered proximally by darker shading along its length; hindwing a mix of light brown and whitish shading, with pale yellow ST line and dark median line; fringe checkered on all wings
Where is Wavy-lined Zanclognatha - Hodges#8353 found?
Range: All of southern Canada. In western North America, range includes Washington and Oregon (ssp. bryanti ). In eastern North America, range extends to Gulf Coast States including eastern Texas.
What does Wavy-lined Zanclognatha - Hodges#8353 eat?
The diet of the Wavy-lined Zanclognatha - Hodges#8353 includes larvae probably feed on dead leaves.
What is the life cycle of a Wavy-lined Zanclognatha - Hodges#8353?
Larva; adult