Ceratonyx arizonensis - Hodges#6778
Ceratonyx arizonensis
This record describes Ceratonyx arizonensis (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult - See Capps and Rindge descriptions in Print References. Larva & Pupa - See Franclemont description in Print References.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Ennominae
- Tribe
- Nacophorini
- Genus
- Ceratonyx
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Known only from the mountains of southern Arizona. Type locality: Hereford, Huachuca Mountains, Cochise County, Arizona.
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly May through August.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval hosts include showy goldeneye ( Heliomeris multiflora ) and heartleaf goldeneye ( Viguiera cordifolia ). , , ,
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Ceratonyx arizonensis. 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 Ceratonyx arizonensis - Hodges#6778 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by margarethe brummermann; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Ceratonyx arizonensis - Hodges#6778
What is Ceratonyx arizonensis - Hodges#6778?
Ceratonyx arizonensis - Hodges#6778 (Ceratonyx arizonensis) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Ceratonyx arizonensis - Hodges#6778?
Wingspan: ♂ 35-40 mm, ♀ 37-43 mm.
How do you identify Ceratonyx arizonensis - Hodges#6778?
Adult - See Capps and Rindge descriptions in Print References. Larva & Pupa - See Franclemont description in Print References.
Where is Ceratonyx arizonensis - Hodges#6778 found?
Range: Known only from the mountains of southern Arizona. Type locality: Hereford, Huachuca Mountains, Cochise County, Arizona.
What does Ceratonyx arizonensis - Hodges#6778 eat?
The diet of the Ceratonyx arizonensis - Hodges#6778 includes Larval hosts include showy goldeneye ( Heliomeris multiflora ) and heartleaf goldeneye ( Viguiera cordifolia ). , , ,.
When is Ceratonyx arizonensis - Hodges#6778 active?
Ceratonyx arizonensis - Hodges#6778: seasonal activity - Adults fly May through August..