LepidopteraGeometridae – Geometrid Moths

Dysstroma suspectata - Hodges#7185

Dysstroma suspectata

This record describes Dysstroma suspectata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Dysstroma suspectata - Hodges#7185 - Dysstroma suspectata
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz

Dysstroma suspectata has a dark brown-grey hindwing and forewing especially the underside which is much darker than other species. ID confirmed by Chuck Harp.

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily
Geometroidea
Family
Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
Subfamily
Larentiinae
Tribe
Hydriomenini
Genus
Dysstroma

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.

Seasonal Activity

The main flight period is May through September.

Diet and Behavior

Diet: One known larval host is Populus L. (cottonwood).

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Dysstroma suspectata. 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 Dysstroma suspectata - Hodges#7185 (4)

Dysstroma suspectata - Hodges#7185 - photo 1
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz
Dysstroma suspectata - Hodges#7185 - photo 2
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz
Dysstroma suspectata - Hodges#7185 - photo 3
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz
Dysstroma suspectata - Hodges#7185 - photo 4
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz

Frequently Asked Questions About Dysstroma suspectata - Hodges#7185

What is Dysstroma suspectata - Hodges#7185?

Dysstroma suspectata - Hodges#7185 (Dysstroma suspectata) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.

How do you identify Dysstroma suspectata - Hodges#7185?

Dysstroma suspectata has a dark brown-grey hindwing and forewing especially the underside which is much darker than other species. ID confirmed by Chuck Harp.

Where is Dysstroma suspectata - Hodges#7185 found?

Range: Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.

What does Dysstroma suspectata - Hodges#7185 eat?

The diet of the Dysstroma suspectata - Hodges#7185 includes One known larval host is Populus L. (cottonwood)..

When is Dysstroma suspectata - Hodges#7185 active?

Dysstroma suspectata - Hodges#7185: seasonal activity - The main flight period is May through September..

How we use and review source data. Source count does not imply independent verification.

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.