Gray Spruce Looper - Hodges#6863
Caripeta divisata
This record describes Caripeta divisata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing dull grayish-brown with brown shading along costa; lines black, toothed, accented with white; large white discal spot outlined in black hindwing pale grayish-white with lighter dusting of fine brown striations or speckles Larva: body color variable but usually reddish-brown with low, transverse dorsal ridges and light yellowish-brown lateral patches; head brownish with dark brown herringbone pattern on lobes; middorsal stripe multicolored and expanded posteriorly on segments into circular or diamond-shaped area; abdominal segments thickened at distal end, which, in combination with light lateral patches, give them a bumpy appearance, much like a conifer twig
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
coniferous and mixed woods
Geographic Range
coast to coast in Canada and northern United States, south in the east to Florida
Seasonal Activity
adults fly in June and July larvae from August to October
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on foliage of coniferous trees: Balsam Fir, Eastern Hemlock, spruces, and White Pine in the east, and mainly Douglas-Fir and Western Hemlock in the west
Life History
overwinters as a pupa in soil or debris; one generation per year
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Caripeta divisata. 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 Gray Spruce Looper - Hodges#6863 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Tony-2 , McClarinJ , anitagould , marcie oconnor
Frequently Asked Questions About Gray Spruce Looper - Hodges#6863
What is Gray Spruce Looper - Hodges#6863?
Gray Spruce Looper - Hodges#6863 (Caripeta divisata) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Gray Spruce Looper - Hodges#6863?
wingspan 27-38 mm larvae to 35 mm
How do you identify Gray Spruce Looper - Hodges#6863?
Adult: forewing dull grayish-brown with brown shading along costa; lines black, toothed, accented with white; large white discal spot outlined in black hindwing pale grayish-white with lighter dusting of fine brown striations or speckles Larva: body color variable but usually reddish-brown with low, transverse dorsal ridges and light yellowish-brown lateral patches; head brownish with dark brown herringbone pattern on lobes; middorsal stripe multicolored and expanded posteriorly on segments into circular or diamond-shaped area; abdominal segments thickened at distal end, which, in combination with light lateral patches, give them a bumpy appearance, much like a conifer twig
Where is Gray Spruce Looper - Hodges#6863 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | coniferous and mixed woods |
| Range | coast to coast in Canada and northern United States, south in the east to Florida |
What does Gray Spruce Looper - Hodges#6863 eat?
The diet of the Gray Spruce Looper - Hodges#6863 includes larvae feed on foliage of coniferous trees: Balsam Fir, Eastern Hemlock, spruces, and White Pine in the east, and mainly Douglas-Fir and Western Hemlock in the west.
When is Gray Spruce Looper - Hodges#6863 active?
Gray Spruce Looper - Hodges#6863: seasonal activity - adults fly in June and July larvae from August to October.
What is the life cycle of a Gray Spruce Looper - Hodges#6863?
overwinters as a pupa in soil or debris; one generation per year