Besma sesquilinearia - Hodges#6887
Besma sesquilinearia
This record describes Besma sesquilinearia (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Capps (1943) reported the early season (May) specimens are more densely sprinkled with fuscous and have a larger wingspan (43-45 mm.) than those taken from June to September (32-38 mm.)
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Ennominae
- Tribe
- Ourapterygini
- Genus
- Besma
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Arizona, Mew Mexico. ( 3 )
Seasonal Activity
The flight period appears to be March to August. Capps collected specimens in March, May and June to August in Cochise County, Arizona.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Capps reported the host plant unknown.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Besma sesquilinearia. 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 Besma sesquilinearia - Hodges#6887 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by john and jane balaban
Frequently Asked Questions About Besma sesquilinearia - Hodges#6887
What is Besma sesquilinearia - Hodges#6887?
Besma sesquilinearia - Hodges#6887 (Besma sesquilinearia) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Besma sesquilinearia - Hodges#6887?
Capps reported the wingspan. ♂ 42-45 mm. ♀ 37-45 mm. Grote reported a wingspan of 42 mm.
How do you identify Besma sesquilinearia - Hodges#6887?
Capps (1943) reported the early season (May) specimens are more densely sprinkled with fuscous and have a larger wingspan (43-45 mm.) than those taken from June to September (32-38 mm.)
Where is Besma sesquilinearia - Hodges#6887 found?
Range: Arizona, Mew Mexico. ( 3 )
What does Besma sesquilinearia - Hodges#6887 eat?
The diet of the Besma sesquilinearia - Hodges#6887 includes Capps reported the host plant unknown..
When is Besma sesquilinearia - Hodges#6887 active?
Besma sesquilinearia - Hodges#6887: seasonal activity - The flight period appears to be March to August. Capps collected specimens in March, May and June to August in Cochise County, Arizona..