Elder Moth - Hodges#9816
Zotheca tranquilla
This record describes Zotheca tranquilla (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing pale yellowish with light green median band and thin wavy basal and postmedial lines; hindwing white Larva: body with middorsal line of yellow circles bordered in black; subdorsal band pale purple; lateral-ventral area solid yellow with black spots [description by Jeff Miller]
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Xylenini
- Genus
- Zotheca
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
wet coastal mountain forests, and riparian forests at lower elevations
Geographic Range
British Columbia to California, east to Utah
Seasonal Activity
adults fly in summer larvae in May and June
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on leaves of elder ( Sambucus spp.)
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Zotheca tranquilla. 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 Elder Moth - Hodges#9816 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Elder Moth - Hodges#9816
What is Elder Moth - Hodges#9816?
Elder Moth - Hodges#9816 (Zotheca tranquilla) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Elder Moth - Hodges#9816?
wingspan about 36 mm
How do you identify Elder Moth - Hodges#9816?
Adult: forewing pale yellowish with light green median band and thin wavy basal and postmedial lines; hindwing white Larva: body with middorsal line of yellow circles bordered in black; subdorsal band pale purple; lateral-ventral area solid yellow with black spots [description by Jeff Miller]
Where is Elder Moth - Hodges#9816 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | wet coastal mountain forests, and riparian forests at lower elevations |
| Range | British Columbia to California, east to Utah |
What does Elder Moth - Hodges#9816 eat?
The diet of the Elder Moth - Hodges#9816 includes larvae feed on leaves of elder ( Sambucus spp.).
When is Elder Moth - Hodges#9816 active?
Elder Moth - Hodges#9816: seasonal activity - adults fly in summer larvae in May and June.