LepidopteraGeometridae – Geometrid Moths

Digrammia delectata - Hodges#6374

Digrammia delectata

This record describes Digrammia delectata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Digrammia delectata - Hodges#6374 - Digrammia delectata
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily
Geometroidea
Family
Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
Subfamily
Ennominae
Tribe
Macariini
Genus
Digrammia

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

Missouri and Texas to California, north to British Columbia and North Dakota.

Seasonal Activity

Adults are most common from April to September.

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Digrammia delectata. 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.

Explore Lepidoptera families and species →

Photos of Digrammia delectata - Hodges#6374 (5)

Digrammia delectata - Hodges#6374 - photo 1
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Digrammia delectata - Hodges#6374 - photo 2
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Digrammia delectata - Hodges#6374 - photo 3
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Digrammia delectata - Hodges#6374 - photo 4
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Digrammia delectata - Hodges#6374 - photo 5
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Frequently Asked Questions About Digrammia delectata - Hodges#6374

How big is Digrammia delectata - Hodges#6374?

Forewing length: ♂ 11-15 mm. ♀ 12-15 mm.

Where is Digrammia delectata - Hodges#6374 found?

Range: Missouri and Texas to California, north to British Columbia and North Dakota.

When is Digrammia delectata - Hodges#6374 active?

Digrammia delectata - Hodges#6374: seasonal activity - Adults are most common from April to September..

How we use and review source data. Source count does not imply independent verification.

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.