Choephora fungorum

Grote & Robinson, 1868

Bent-lined Dart, bent-line dart

Choephora fungorum, known as the bent-lined dart, is a to eastern North America. are active in autumn and possess a wingspan of 33–47 mm. The is notable for its broad geographic range spanning from southern Canada to the Gulf Coast.

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Pronunciation

How to pronounce Choephora fungorum: /kʰoʊˈɛfɔrə fʌŋˈɡoʊrəm/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

The bent-lined dart can be recognized by the characteristic bent or angled transverse on the . The is most reliably identified by this pattern in combination with its autumn period and eastern North distribution.

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Appearance

have a wingspan of 33–47 mm. The refers to a diagnostic bent or angled on the .

Habitat

Occurs in a variety of open and semi-open across eastern North America, including fields, meadows, and disturbed areas where larval plants grow.

Distribution

Eastern North America from southern Ontario, Pennsylvania, and southern Michigan south to the northern Gulf Coast of Florida, and west to central Kansas and eastern Texas.

Seasonality

from September to November, with timing varying by latitude and local conditions.

Diet

feed on Trifolium (clover), Nicotiana (), and various herbaceous weeds. Larvae have been successfully reared on Taraxacum (dandelion) .

Host Associations

  • Trifolium - larval
  • Nicotiana - larval
  • Taraxacum - larval used in captive rearing

Life Cycle

with , larval, pupal, and stages. are herbivorous and feed on low-growing herbaceous plants. Adults are and active in autumn.

Behavior

are and attracted to light. period is restricted to autumn months.

Ecological Role

function as in early successional and open . may serve as for including bats and birds.

Human Relevance

occasionally feed on cultivated (Nicotiana), potentially causing minor agricultural concern. Otherwise of limited economic significance.

Similar Taxa

  • Other Choephora speciesCongeneric may share general Noctuinae ; reliable separation requires examination of or detailed pattern analysis
  • Other autumn-flying NoctuinaeMultiple share similar size, coloration, and autumn ; the bent is diagnostic for C. fungorum

More Details

Taxonomic history

Described by Grote and Robinson in 1868. The epithet "fungorum" (of mushrooms) appears to be a misnomer, as feed on herbaceous plants rather than .

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Sources and further reading