Giant Gray Moth - Hodges#6745
Cymatophora approximaria
This record describes Cymatophora approximaria (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Packard description is online and linked in the print references.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Ennominae
- Tribe
- Angeronini
- Genus
- Cymatophora
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Heppner (2003) reported the range to include New Jersey to Florida, west to Texas. ( 3 ) Moth Photographers Group - large range map with collection dates.
Seasonal Activity
The main flight period appears to be September to November. ( 4 ) There are a few early season records from February through March. Heppner (2003) reported September to December for Florida. ( 3 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Heppner (2003) listed several host plants. ( 3 ) Quercus sp. (oak), Rhexia petiolata Walter (fringed meadowbeauty), Smilax laurifolia L. (laurel greenbrier). Smilax rotundifolia L. (roundleaf greenbrier).
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Cymatophora approximaria. 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 Giant Gray Moth - Hodges#6745 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Robert Lord Zimlich
Frequently Asked Questions About Giant Gray Moth - Hodges#6745
What is Giant Gray Moth - Hodges#6745?
Giant Gray Moth - Hodges#6745 (Cymatophora approximaria) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Giant Gray Moth - Hodges#6745?
Wingspan averages 34-48 mm.
How do you identify Giant Gray Moth - Hodges#6745?
Packard description is online and linked in the print references.
Where is Giant Gray Moth - Hodges#6745 found?
Range: Heppner (2003) reported the range to include New Jersey to Florida, west to Texas. ( 3 ) Moth Photographers Group - large range map with collection dates.
What does Giant Gray Moth - Hodges#6745 eat?
The diet of the Giant Gray Moth - Hodges#6745 includes Heppner (2003) listed several host plants. ( 3 ) Quercus sp. (oak), Rhexia petiolata Walter (fringed meadowbeauty), Smilax laurifolia L. (laurel greenbrier). Smilax rotundifolia L. (roundleaf greenbrier)..
When is Giant Gray Moth - Hodges#6745 active?
Giant Gray Moth - Hodges#6745: seasonal activity - The main flight period appears to be September to November. ( 4 ) There are a few early season records from February through March. Heppner (2003) reported September to December for Florida. ( 3 ).