Digrammia pertinata - Hodges#6365
Digrammia pertinata
This record describes Digrammia pertinata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Ferguson (2008) stated neither the male nor female genitalia differ from those of D. continuata or most other members of the juniper-feeding group. Determined by Chuck Harp.
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
Habitat
Northern shortgrass prairies where junipers are present (e.g., Rocky Mountain juniper, J. scopulorum ). ( 3 )
Geographic Range
Ferguson reported that Digrammia pertinata is likely restricted to the northern shortgrass prairie region of Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, and Colorado. The holotype is from Jefferson County, Montana, in CNC (Canadian National Collection). Moth Photographers Group map includes California to western Texas, north to Washington and South Dakota. The proliferation of records on MPG from Texas westward to California is inexplicable; most are probably erroneous; BOLD and the LepSoc database show no records in that region.
Seasonal Activity
May, July and August. ( 3 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Ferguson (2008) reported the larvae most likely feed on juniper. ( 3 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Digrammia pertinata. 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 Digrammia pertinata - Hodges#6365 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Chuck Sexton
Frequently Asked Questions About Digrammia pertinata - Hodges#6365
What is Digrammia pertinata - Hodges#6365?
Digrammia pertinata - Hodges#6365 (Digrammia pertinata) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Digrammia pertinata - Hodges#6365?
Ferguson (2008) reported the forewing length of both sexes 13-15 mm. ( 3 )
How do you identify Digrammia pertinata - Hodges#6365?
Ferguson (2008) stated neither the male nor female genitalia differ from those of D. continuata or most other members of the juniper-feeding group. Determined by Chuck Harp.
Where is Digrammia pertinata - Hodges#6365 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Northern shortgrass prairies where junipers are present (e.g., Rocky Mountain juniper, J. scopulorum ). ( 3 ) |
| Range | Ferguson reported that Digrammia pertinata is likely restricted to the northern shortgrass prairie region of Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, and Colorado. The holotype is from Jefferson County, Montana, in CNC (Canadian National Collection). Moth Photographers Group map includes California to western Texas, north to Washington and South Dakota. The proliferation of records on MPG from Texas westward to California is inexplicable; most are probably erroneous; BOLD and the LepSoc database show no records in that region. |
What does Digrammia pertinata - Hodges#6365 eat?
The diet of the Digrammia pertinata - Hodges#6365 includes Ferguson (2008) reported the larvae most likely feed on juniper. ( 3 ).
When is Digrammia pertinata - Hodges#6365 active?
Digrammia pertinata - Hodges#6365: seasonal activity - May, July and August. ( 3 ).