Red Girdle - Hodges#6865
Caripeta aequaliaria
This record describes Caripeta aequaliaria (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult - forewing reddish-brown with jagged AM and PM lines, pale yellowish discal spot, and prominent orange arrow-shaped streaks in subterminal area. Hindwing whitish basally with diffuse pale yellow streaks radiating distally. Larva - two distinct morphs. More common morph ranges from dark brown to pale gray; head pale gray with dark markings on each lobe; body elongate with dorsum of each abdominal segment marked with pair of dark spots in anterior third (not distinct in light-colored variant) and pair of dark D-shaped markings near posterior margin; less common morph rusty brown with broken middorsal creamy yellow stripe and prominent yellow lateral spots (description by Canadian Forest Service). Douglas Ferguson considered Caripeta aequaliaria and Caripeta interalbicans the same species. ( 4 )
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Ennominae
- Tribe
- Ourapterygini
- Genus
- Caripeta
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Coastal and mountain coniferous forests.
Geographic Range
British Columbia to California ( 3 ) , east to Texas, north to Alberta.
Seasonal Activity
Adults usually fly in September and October in the north; earlier southward. Larvae present from June to September.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed mainly on Douglas-fir, Lodgepole Pine, Ponderosa Pine; other hosts include Western White Pine, Western Hemlock.
Life History
One generation per year; overwinters as an egg.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Caripeta aequaliaria. 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 Red Girdle - Hodges#6865 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Red Girdle - Hodges#6865
What is Red Girdle - Hodges#6865?
Red Girdle - Hodges#6865 (Caripeta aequaliaria) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Red Girdle - Hodges#6865?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | Wingspan 34-42 mm. |
| Forewing | Forewing length 17-20 mm. Larva length to 42 mm. |
How do you identify Red Girdle - Hodges#6865?
Adult - forewing reddish-brown with jagged AM and PM lines, pale yellowish discal spot, and prominent orange arrow-shaped streaks in subterminal area. Hindwing whitish basally with diffuse pale yellow streaks radiating distally. Larva - two distinct morphs. More common morph ranges from dark brown to pale gray; head pale gray with dark markings on each lobe; body elongate with dorsum of each abdominal segment marked with pair of dark spots in anterior third (not distinct in light-colored variant) and pair of dark D-shaped markings near posterior margin; less common morph rusty brown with broken middorsal creamy yellow stripe and prominent yellow lateral spots (description by Canadian Forest Service).
Where is Red Girdle - Hodges#6865 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Coastal and mountain coniferous forests. |
| Range | British Columbia to California ( 3 ) , east to Texas, north to Alberta. |
What does Red Girdle - Hodges#6865 eat?
The diet of the Red Girdle - Hodges#6865 includes Larvae feed mainly on Douglas-fir, Lodgepole Pine, Ponderosa Pine; other hosts include Western White Pine, Western Hemlock..
When is Red Girdle - Hodges#6865 active?
Red Girdle - Hodges#6865: seasonal activity - Adults usually fly in September and October in the north; earlier southward. Larvae present from June to September..
What is the life cycle of a Red Girdle - Hodges#6865?
One generation per year; overwinters as an egg.