Cyclophora dataria - Hodges#7135
Cyclophora dataria
This record describes Cyclophora dataria (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing uniformly yellowish to light brown with fine dark speckling and lines; AM line faint, median light dark, diffuse, slightly sinuate; PM line composed of several dark dots, sometimes connected by wavy line; terminal line composed of several dark dashes; discal spot hollow, filled with either ground color or white; outer margin usually falcate (concave near apex) with pointed apex hindwing similar pattern and color (including hollow discal spot) but outer margin rounded Larva: colors vary in intensity and contrast between light and dark markings, ranging from tan brown to gray; dark dorsal semicircle bordered by pale lateral marking on abdominal segments two to five [adapted from description by Jeffrey Miller]
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Sterrhinae
- Tribe
- Cosymbiini
- Genus
- Cyclophora
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
mixed or deciduous woods containing oak
Geographic Range
British Columbia to California, east to Arizona, north to Montana
Seasonal Activity
adults fly in late spring and summer larvae in July and August
Diet and Behavior
Diet: the larvae feed on leaves of oak ( Quercus spp.)
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Cyclophora dataria. 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 Cyclophora dataria - Hodges#7135 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Cyclophora dataria - Hodges#7135
What is Cyclophora dataria - Hodges#7135?
Cyclophora dataria - Hodges#7135 (Cyclophora dataria) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Cyclophora dataria - Hodges#7135?
Wingspan 23-25 mm
How do you identify Cyclophora dataria - Hodges#7135?
Adult: forewing uniformly yellowish to light brown with fine dark speckling and lines; AM line faint, median light dark, diffuse, slightly sinuate; PM line composed of several dark dots, sometimes connected by wavy line; terminal line composed of several dark dashes; discal spot hollow, filled with either ground color or white; outer margin usually falcate (concave near apex) with pointed apex hindwing similar pattern and color (including hollow discal spot) but outer margin rounded Larva: colors vary in intensity and contrast between light and dark markings, ranging from tan brown to gray; dark dorsal semicircle bordered by pale lateral marking on abdominal segments two to five [adapted from description by Jeffrey Miller]
Where is Cyclophora dataria - Hodges#7135 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | mixed or deciduous woods containing oak |
| Range | British Columbia to California, east to Arizona, north to Montana |
What does Cyclophora dataria - Hodges#7135 eat?
The diet of the Cyclophora dataria - Hodges#7135 includes the larvae feed on leaves of oak ( Quercus spp.).
When is Cyclophora dataria - Hodges#7135 active?
Cyclophora dataria - Hodges#7135: seasonal activity - adults fly in late spring and summer larvae in July and August.