Drepanulatrix foeminaria - Hodges#6686
Drepanulatrix foeminaria
This record describes Drepanulatrix foeminaria (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: male antennae pectinate (feathery); forewing brown or brownish-gray speckled with black; discal spot tiny, black, sometimes white-margined; subterminal area usually with line of black dots or dark shading; numerous short dark perpendicular streaks along costa; terminal line composed of several black dots, sometimes lacking; apex pointed, may be slightly falcate (i.e. outer margin concave near tip) in some individuals; thorax same color as forewing hindwing color varies from slightly lighter than forewing to pale brownish-white, and either heavily or sparsely speckled; fringes of all wings light to medium brown or gray Larva: body light green with several thin whitish dorsal stripes; lateral stripe yellow with ragged edges; spiracles orange
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
Habitat
forest edges and clearings containing larval food plant; adults are nocturnal and attracted to light
Geographic Range
Utah to California, north to British Columbia
Seasonal Activity
adults fly in spring larvae from June to August
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed only on leaves of New Jersey Tea ( Ceanothus spp.)
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Drepanulatrix foeminaria. 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 foeminaria - Hodges#6686 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by James Bailey , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Drepanulatrix foeminaria - Hodges#6686
What is Drepanulatrix foeminaria - Hodges#6686?
Drepanulatrix foeminaria - Hodges#6686 (Drepanulatrix foeminaria) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Drepanulatrix foeminaria - Hodges#6686?
wingspan 26-31 mm
How do you identify Drepanulatrix foeminaria - Hodges#6686?
Adult: male antennae pectinate (feathery); forewing brown or brownish-gray speckled with black; discal spot tiny, black, sometimes white-margined; subterminal area usually with line of black dots or dark shading; numerous short dark perpendicular streaks along costa; terminal line composed of several black dots, sometimes lacking; apex pointed, may be slightly falcate (i.e. outer margin concave near tip) in some individuals; thorax same color as forewing hindwing color varies from slightly lighter than forewing to pale brownish-white, and either heavily or sparsely speckled; fringes of all wings light to medium brown or gray Larva: body light green with several thin whitish dorsal stripes; lateral stripe yellow with ragged edges; spiracles orange
Where is Drepanulatrix foeminaria - Hodges#6686 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | forest edges and clearings containing larval food plant; adults are nocturnal and attracted to light |
| Range | Utah to California, north to British Columbia |
What does Drepanulatrix foeminaria - Hodges#6686 eat?
The diet of the Drepanulatrix foeminaria - Hodges#6686 includes larvae feed only on leaves of New Jersey Tea ( Ceanothus spp.).
When is Drepanulatrix foeminaria - Hodges#6686 active?
Drepanulatrix foeminaria - Hodges#6686: seasonal activity - adults fly in spring larvae from June to August.