Dark Scallop Moth - Hodges#6834
Cepphis decoloraria
This record describes Cepphis decoloraria (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
forewing brownish-gray with wavy margin and dark gray band in median area; AM line thin, dark; black semicircular patch along outer margin near apex hindwing similarly colored but with scalloped outer margin some specimens (southern ones?) have conspicuous pale speckling in median area of both wings
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Ennominae
- Tribe
- Anagogini
- Genus
- Cepphis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Nova Scotia to Florida, west to Missouri, north to Manitoba
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from May to September in the north (2 broods)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on leaves of Rubus (raspberry etc.)
Life History
two generations per year
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Cepphis decoloraria. 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 Dark Scallop Moth - Hodges#6834 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , marcie oconnor
Frequently Asked Questions About Dark Scallop Moth - Hodges#6834
What is Dark Scallop Moth - Hodges#6834?
Dark Scallop Moth - Hodges#6834 (Cepphis decoloraria) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Dark Scallop Moth - Hodges#6834?
wingspan 25-28 mm
How do you identify Dark Scallop Moth - Hodges#6834?
forewing brownish-gray with wavy margin and dark gray band in median area; AM line thin, dark; black semicircular patch along outer margin near apex hindwing similarly colored but with scalloped outer margin some specimens (southern ones?) have conspicuous pale speckling in median area of both wings
Where is Dark Scallop Moth - Hodges#6834 found?
Range: Nova Scotia to Florida, west to Missouri, north to Manitoba
What does Dark Scallop Moth - Hodges#6834 eat?
The diet of the Dark Scallop Moth - Hodges#6834 includes larvae feed on leaves of Rubus (raspberry etc.).
When is Dark Scallop Moth - Hodges#6834 active?
Dark Scallop Moth - Hodges#6834: seasonal activity - adults fly from May to September in the north (2 broods).
What is the life cycle of a Dark Scallop Moth - Hodges#6834?
two generations per year