Red-winged Wave - Hodges#6426
Dasyfidonia avuncularia
This record describes Dasyfidonia avuncularia (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing brown with black AM, PM, and median lines, and many transverse streaks or striations; subterminal area paler than remainder of wing; small but distinct white patch at costa near apex; hindwing mostly bright reddish-orange with black discal spot and two complete bold black lines Larva: described by Miller & Hammond.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Ennominae
- Tribe
- Boarmiini
- Genus
- Dasyfidonia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Wet forests in west coast mountains; adults are day-flying and are not known to come to light.
Geographic Range
Alberta and British Columbia to Nevada and California. ( 3 )
Seasonal Activity
The main flight period appears to be April to July.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on leaves of cherry ( Prunus spp.).
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Dasyfidonia avuncularia. 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 Red-winged Wave - Hodges#6426 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Red-winged Wave - Hodges#6426
What is Red-winged Wave - Hodges#6426?
Red-winged Wave - Hodges#6426 (Dasyfidonia avuncularia) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Red-winged Wave - Hodges#6426?
Forewing length 13-16 mm.
How do you identify Red-winged Wave - Hodges#6426?
Adult: forewing brown with black AM, PM, and median lines, and many transverse streaks or striations; subterminal area paler than remainder of wing; small but distinct white patch at costa near apex; hindwing mostly bright reddish-orange with black discal spot and two complete bold black lines Larva: described by Miller & Hammond.
Where is Red-winged Wave - Hodges#6426 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Wet forests in west coast mountains; adults are day-flying and are not known to come to light. |
| Range | Alberta and British Columbia to Nevada and California. ( 3 ) |
What does Red-winged Wave - Hodges#6426 eat?
The diet of the Red-winged Wave - Hodges#6426 includes Larvae feed on leaves of cherry ( Prunus spp.)..
When is Red-winged Wave - Hodges#6426 active?
Red-winged Wave - Hodges#6426: seasonal activity - The main flight period appears to be April to July..