LepidopteraGeometridae – Geometrid Moths

Digrammia hebetata - Hodges#6394.1

Digrammia hebetata

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

Identification and Appearance

Digrammia hebetata - Hodges#6394.1 - Digrammia hebetata
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

The species has two forms, banded and unbanded. Both forms usually have a dark spot on the costa where the postmedial line begins.

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

Sierra Nevada and Warner Mountains of California, the mountains of Utah and Colorado.

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Digrammia hebetata. 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 hebetata - Hodges#6394.1 (2)

Digrammia hebetata - Hodges#6394.1 - photo 1
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Digrammia hebetata - Hodges#6394.1 - photo 2
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Frequently Asked Questions About Digrammia hebetata - Hodges#6394.1

What is Digrammia hebetata - Hodges#6394.1?

Digrammia hebetata - Hodges#6394.1 (Digrammia hebetata) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.

How big is Digrammia hebetata - Hodges#6394.1?

Wingspan about 30 mm. based on MPG photo. Ferguson did not mention the forewing length.

How do you identify Digrammia hebetata - Hodges#6394.1?

The species has two forms, banded and unbanded. Both forms usually have a dark spot on the costa where the postmedial line begins.

Where is Digrammia hebetata - Hodges#6394.1 found?

Range: Sierra Nevada and Warner Mountains of California, the mountains of Utah and Colorado.

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.