Abagrotis benjamini
Franclemont, 1955
Coastal Heathland Cutworm Moth
Abagrotis benjamini is a in the Noctuidae, described by Franclemont in 1955. It is currently treated as a synonym of Abagrotis nefascia. The is known from coastal heathland in North America, with records from Alberta, Canada. As a member of the cutworm moth group, it likely shares ecological traits with related Abagrotis species, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
![Abagrotis benjamini (10.3897-zookeys.661.10867) Figure 16 by [Photos B. Proshek] Goldstein PZ, Nelson MW (2017) Two psammophilic noctuids newly associated with beach plum, Prunus maritima (Rosaceae): The Dune Noctuid (Sympistis riparia) and Coastal Heathland Cutworm (Abagrotis benjamini) in Northeastern North America (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae). ZooKeys 661: 61-89. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.661.10867. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.](https://bugswithmike.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/wikipedia/arthropoda/hexapoda/insecta/lepidoptera/noctuoidea/noctuidae/noctuinae/noctuini/noctuina/abagrotis/benjamini/Abagrotis_benjamini_%2810.3897-zookeys.661.10867%29_Figure_16.jpg)
![Abagrotis benjamini (10.3897-zookeys.661.10867) Figure 18 by [Photos B. Proshek] Goldstein PZ, Nelson MW (2017) Two psammophilic noctuids newly associated with beach plum, Prunus maritima (Rosaceae): The Dune Noctuid (Sympistis riparia) and Coastal Heathland Cutworm (Abagrotis benjamini) in Northeastern North America (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae). ZooKeys 661: 61-89. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.661.10867. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.](https://bugswithmike.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/wikipedia/arthropoda/hexapoda/insecta/lepidoptera/noctuoidea/noctuidae/noctuinae/noctuini/noctuina/abagrotis/benjamini/Abagrotis_benjamini_%2810.3897-zookeys.661.10867%29_Figure_18.jpg)
![Abagrotis benjamini (10.3897-zookeys.661.10867) Figure 22 by [Photo: ] Goldstein PZ, Nelson MW (2017) Two psammophilic noctuids newly associated with beach plum, Prunus maritima (Rosaceae): The Dune Noctuid (Sympistis riparia) and Coastal Heathland Cutworm (Abagrotis benjamini) in Northeastern North America (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae). ZooKeys 661: 61-89. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.661.10867. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.](https://bugswithmike.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/wikipedia/arthropoda/hexapoda/insecta/lepidoptera/noctuoidea/noctuidae/noctuinae/noctuini/noctuina/abagrotis/benjamini/Abagrotis_benjamini_%2810.3897-zookeys.661.10867%29_Figure_22.jpg)
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Abagrotis benjamini: /æbəˈɡroʊtɪs bɛnˈdʒæmɪnaɪ/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Images
Habitat
Coastal heathland environments.
Distribution
North America; recorded from Alberta, Canada.
Similar Taxa
- Abagrotis nefasciaA. benjamini is currently synonymized under A. nefascia, indicating they are or nearly indistinguishable.
- Abagrotis vittifronsRelated within the same with potentially overlapping distribution and preferences.
More Details
Taxonomic Status
Listed as a synonym of Abagrotis nefascia in major taxonomic databases including GBIF and Catalogue of Life. The original description by Franclemont (1955) may have distinguished it based on subtle morphological differences now considered intraspecific variation.
Data Limitations
The is represented by only 42 observations on iNaturalist, suggesting it is either genuinely rare, undercollected, or partially masked by its synonym status with A. nefascia.