Common White Wave
Cabera pusaria
This record describes Cabera pusaria (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 25-28 mm. This species resembles the Common Wave ( C. exanthemata ) but is generally whiter with more parallel cross-lines on the forewing. It occupies woodland, copses and similar habitats. During the day it rests in low herbage and can easily be disturbed, but its natural flight time is from dusk onwards, when it can be found between May and August in one or two generations. Larvae feed on a number of trees and shrubs, especially Birch. Commonly distributed throughout Britain. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Geometridae
- Genus
- Cabera
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
It occupies woodland, copses and similar habitats.
Seasonal Activity
During the day it rests in low herbage and can easily be disturbed, but its natural flight time is from dusk onwards, when it can be found between May and August in one or two generations.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Larvae feed on a number of trees and shrubs, especially Birch.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Commonly distributed throughout Britain. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Cabera pusaria. 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 Common White Wave (8)
Frequently Asked Questions About Common White Wave
What is Common White Wave?
Common White Wave (Cabera pusaria) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Common White Wave found?
Habitat: It occupies woodland, copses and similar habitats.
When is Common White Wave active?
Common White Wave: seasonal activity - During the day it rests in low herbage and can easily be disturbed, but its natural flight time is from dusk onwards, when it can be found between May and August in one or two generations..
What is the life cycle of a Common White Wave?
Larvae feed on a number of trees and shrubs, especially Birch.