Lettered Zanclognatha - Hodges#8340
Zanclognatha lituralis
This record describes Zanclognatha lituralis (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: Three bold dark spots spaced along costa of forewing (and sometimes a fourth, faint, spot at base); thin black chevron near middle of wing; remainder of forewing medium brown with no conspicuous markings. Larvae: See Preliminary key to Zanclognatha larvae As of 2013: Zanclognatha lituralis consists of at least two valid species (Rings et al. 1992).
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
Eastern United States and Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario.
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly from May to August.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on dead leaves.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Zanclognatha lituralis. 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 Lettered Zanclognatha - Hodges#8340 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Tony-2 , JohnMaxwell22 , marcie oconnor , Blocky
Frequently Asked Questions About Lettered Zanclognatha - Hodges#8340
What is Lettered Zanclognatha - Hodges#8340?
Lettered Zanclognatha - Hodges#8340 (Zanclognatha lituralis) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How do you identify Lettered Zanclognatha - Hodges#8340?
Adult: Three bold dark spots spaced along costa of forewing (and sometimes a fourth, faint, spot at base); thin black chevron near middle of wing; remainder of forewing medium brown with no conspicuous markings. Larvae: See Preliminary key to Zanclognatha larvae
Where is Lettered Zanclognatha - Hodges#8340 found?
Range: Eastern United States and Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario.
What does Lettered Zanclognatha - Hodges#8340 eat?
The diet of the Lettered Zanclognatha - Hodges#8340 includes Larvae feed on dead leaves..
When is Lettered Zanclognatha - Hodges#8340 active?
Lettered Zanclognatha - Hodges#8340: seasonal activity - Adults fly from May to August..