Linden Prominent - Hodges#7930
Ellida caniplaga
This record describes Ellida caniplaga (species). Recorded family: Notodontidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: the triple antemedial (AM) line, fading part-way across the wing, is diagnostic. Larva: color and markings vary depending on age; at mid-stage, head is pale green with a pair of conspicuous black spots on top; body is darker green with wide yellow subdorsal stripes and thinner lateral stripes; subdorsal stripes are joined by yellow cross-stripes on abdominal segments 2-7; in late-stage and full-grown larvae, the head is pinkish and the lateral stripes red; body is yellowish with conspicuous red splotches down the back (adapted from description at Auburn U.) The larvae are rarely seen (for many years the description of the caterpillar was not known) because they usually feed high in the canopy of basswood trees; they are most likely to be observed descending the trunk of the tree enroute to their pupation site in the soil.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Notodontidae (Prominent Moths)
- Subfamily
- Periergosinae
- Genus
- Ellida
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Deciduous woods and parklands where the host plant grows.
Geographic Range
Eastern North America (Texas to Florida , north to New Brunswick, west to Ontario and Minnesota).
Seasonal Activity
The main flight period appears to be March to August, earlier in Florida. ( 3 ) The larvae are found from summer through fall.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The larvae feed on the leaves of basswood (=linden).
Life History
Two generations per year in the south; overwinters as a pupa in the soil; adults emerge in spring and lay eggs on the leaves of the host plant.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: The common name refers to the larval host plant, linden (more commonly known as basswood).
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Ellida caniplaga. 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 Linden Prominent - Hodges#7930 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , Maury Heiman , Ethan Kistler , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Linden Prominent - Hodges#7930
What is Linden Prominent - Hodges#7930?
Linden Prominent - Hodges#7930 (Ellida caniplaga) is a species in the family Notodontidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Linden Prominent - Hodges#7930?
Wingspan 34-44 mm. Larvae up to 35 mm.
How do you identify Linden Prominent - Hodges#7930?
Adult: the triple antemedial (AM) line, fading part-way across the wing, is diagnostic. Larva: color and markings vary depending on age; at mid-stage, head is pale green with a pair of conspicuous black spots on top; body is darker green with wide yellow subdorsal stripes and thinner lateral stripes; subdorsal stripes are joined by yellow cross-stripes on abdominal segments 2-7; in late-stage and full-grown larvae, the head is pinkish and the lateral stripes red; body is yellowish with conspicuous red splotches down the back (adapted from description at Auburn U.)
Where is Linden Prominent - Hodges#7930 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Deciduous woods and parklands where the host plant grows. |
| Range | Eastern North America (Texas to Florida , north to New Brunswick, west to Ontario and Minnesota). |
What does Linden Prominent - Hodges#7930 eat?
The diet of the Linden Prominent - Hodges#7930 includes The larvae feed on the leaves of basswood (=linden)..
When is Linden Prominent - Hodges#7930 active?
Linden Prominent - Hodges#7930: seasonal activity - The main flight period appears to be March to August, earlier in Florida. ( 3 ) The larvae are found from summer through fall..
What is the life cycle of a Linden Prominent - Hodges#7930?
Two generations per year in the south; overwinters as a pupa in the soil; adults emerge in spring and lay eggs on the leaves of the host plant.