Drepanulatrix carnearia - Hodges#6688
Drepanulatrix carnearia
This record describes Drepanulatrix carnearia (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Rindge described two forms of this species, D. c. carnearia and D. c. columbriaria . The form columbriaria is a bit larger and occurs from central California to British Columbia. Form carnearia is smaller and occurs from central California south to Mexico. The two forms fly together in central California. Form columbriaria males are described as more lightly marked with three cross lines, rose or purple color, narrow and sharply defined, not marked on costa or inner margin by swollen blotches, going completely across wing; terminal area lightly and evenly suffused with rose or purple. Female columbriaria similar to male with lines sometimes reduced and terminal area sometimes concolorous with remainder of wing, rarely strongly suffused. Form carnearia males are described as forewings often heavily marked with cross lines tending to be broad, diffuse, rose or red purple, arising on costa as large dark blotches, sometimes reduced or partially absent, usually enlarged on inner margin; terminal area variable from almost completely suffused with rose purple or purple black to suffusion present as one or two small clouds in middle of wing along PM line. Female form carnearia has forewings broadly suffused with orange or yellowish; cross lines indistinct, sometimes absent; terminal area concolorous with remainder of wing or lightly suffuse with purple.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Ennominae
- Tribe
- Caberini
- Genus
- Drepanulatrix
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
California to British Columbia and Idaho; Colorado? . Most abundant in the Sierra Nevada Records now here on BugGuide from Montana and Wyoming; record from Alberta at BOLD.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Drepanulatrix carnearia. 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 Drepanulatrix carnearia - Hodges#6688 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Drepanulatrix carnearia - Hodges#6688
What is Drepanulatrix carnearia - Hodges#6688?
Drepanulatrix carnearia - Hodges#6688 (Drepanulatrix carnearia) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Drepanulatrix carnearia - Hodges#6688?
forewing length 12 - 14 mm
How do you identify Drepanulatrix carnearia - Hodges#6688?
Rindge described two forms of this species, D. c. carnearia and D. c. columbriaria . The form columbriaria is a bit larger and occurs from central California to British Columbia. Form carnearia is smaller and occurs from central California south to Mexico. The two forms fly together in central California. Form columbriaria males are described as more lightly marked with three cross lines, rose or purple color, narrow and sharply defined, not marked on costa or inner margin by swollen blotches, going completely across wing; terminal area lightly and evenly suffused with rose or purple. Female columbriaria similar to male with lines sometimes reduced and terminal area sometimes concolorous with remainder of wing, rarely strongly suffused. Form carnearia males are described as forewings often heavily marked with cross lines tending to be broad, diffuse, rose or red purple, arising on costa as large dark blotches, sometimes reduced or partially absent, usually enlarged on inner margin; terminal area variable from almost completely suffused with rose purple or purple black to suffusion present as one or two small clouds in middle of wing along PM line. Female form carnearia has forewings broadly suffused with orange or yellowish; cross lines indistinct, sometimes absent; terminal area concolorous with remainder of wing or lightly suffuse with purple.
Where is Drepanulatrix carnearia - Hodges#6688 found?
Range: California to British Columbia and Idaho; Colorado? . Most abundant in the Sierra Nevada Records now here on BugGuide from Montana and Wyoming; record from Alberta at BOLD.