Spurred Wave - Hodges#6682
Drepanulatrix unicalcararia
This record describes Drepanulatrix unicalcararia (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing variably pale yellowish, brown, or gray with fine speckling and pointed apex; PM line yellow or orangish, slightly wavy, often broken in middle, sometimes bordered distally by black spots near upper and lower ends; AM line slightly irregular, faint or sometimes lacking; small dark discal spot, sometimes faint or lacking; no dotted terminal line; hindwing pale off-white, darker toward outer margin, with tiny dark discal dot (sometimes lacking) Larva: body light brown with obscure brown markings, presumably cryptic against branches of hostplant
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
open mountain forests; adults are nocturnal and come to light
Geographic Range
British Columbia and Alberta to California and Arizona
Seasonal Activity
On the wing from March through October
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed only on leaves of New Jersey Tea ( Ceanothus spp.)
Life History
one or possibly two generations per year
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Drepanulatrix unicalcararia. 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 Spurred Wave - Hodges#6682 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Spurred Wave - Hodges#6682
What is Spurred Wave - Hodges#6682?
Spurred Wave - Hodges#6682 (Drepanulatrix unicalcararia) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Spurred Wave - Hodges#6682?
Wingspan 30-34 mm, based on 4 Internet photos
How do you identify Spurred Wave - Hodges#6682?
Adult: forewing variably pale yellowish, brown, or gray with fine speckling and pointed apex; PM line yellow or orangish, slightly wavy, often broken in middle, sometimes bordered distally by black spots near upper and lower ends; AM line slightly irregular, faint or sometimes lacking; small dark discal spot, sometimes faint or lacking; no dotted terminal line; hindwing pale off-white, darker toward outer margin, with tiny dark discal dot (sometimes lacking) Larva: body light brown with obscure brown markings, presumably cryptic against branches of hostplant
Where is Spurred Wave - Hodges#6682 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | open mountain forests; adults are nocturnal and come to light |
| Range | British Columbia and Alberta to California and Arizona |
What does Spurred Wave - Hodges#6682 eat?
The diet of the Spurred Wave - Hodges#6682 includes larvae feed only on leaves of New Jersey Tea ( Ceanothus spp.).
When is Spurred Wave - Hodges#6682 active?
Spurred Wave - Hodges#6682: seasonal activity - On the wing from March through October.
What is the life cycle of a Spurred Wave - Hodges#6682?
one or possibly two generations per year