Episemasia cervinaria - Hodges#6714
Episemasia cervinaria
This record describes Episemasia cervinaria (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Ground color is typically reddish brown but can vary from pale pinkish buff, to dull gray brown, to dark purplish brown; median area sometimes slightly darker; all wings commonly peppered with black scales. Narrow AM and PM lines complete, gently arching, creamy white with narrow dark margin on median side of each. Small black discal dots on all wings. Palpi, face, and vertex are usually contrasting pale buff. Has a relatively distinctive wing shape and resting posture: The costal margin of the forewing is sharply rounded at the base, relatively straight for much of its length (even slightly concave in some cases), and the apex is squared or slightly acute. Adults typically perch with forewings partially swept back, with hindwings half exposed. At lights, adults sometimes perch with wings closed over the body like a butterfly. Larvae are pale gray with several pairs of black dots on each segment and an interrupted yellow lateral line. The first abdominal segment is typically bulbous. Most larvae have a narrow black dorsal crossbar on 1 to 4 (typically 3) abdominal segments. Later instars may have a wide dusky gray lateral band.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Ennominae
- Tribe
- Caberini
- Genus
- Episemasia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
South-central US: Primarily eastern half of Texas and Oklahoma, barely entering western Arkansas and possibly western edge of Louisiana (?).
Seasonal Activity
Recorded in all months in Texas, but primary flight is February - April with a secondary flight in September.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Associated with Yaupon - Ilex
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: cervi - Latin for neck
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Episemasia cervinaria. 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 Episemasia cervinaria - Hodges#6714 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , Chuck Sexton
Frequently Asked Questions About Episemasia cervinaria - Hodges#6714
What is Episemasia cervinaria - Hodges#6714?
Episemasia cervinaria - Hodges#6714 (Episemasia cervinaria) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Episemasia cervinaria - Hodges#6714?
Forewing 10 - 12.5 mm, mean 11.6 (n = 15) (C. Sexton)
How do you identify Episemasia cervinaria - Hodges#6714?
Ground color is typically reddish brown but can vary from pale pinkish buff, to dull gray brown, to dark purplish brown; median area sometimes slightly darker; all wings commonly peppered with black scales. Narrow AM and PM lines complete, gently arching, creamy white with narrow dark margin on median side of each. Small black discal dots on all wings. Palpi, face, and vertex are usually contrasting pale buff. Has a relatively distinctive wing shape and resting posture: The costal margin of the forewing is sharply rounded at the base, relatively straight for much of its length (even slightly concave in some cases), and the apex is squared or slightly acute. Adults typically perch with forewings partially swept back, with hindwings half exposed. At lights, adults sometimes perch with wings closed over the body like a butterfly. Larvae are pale gray with several pairs of black dots on each segment and an interrupted yellow lateral line. The first abdominal segment is typically bulbous. Most larvae have a narrow black dorsal crossbar on 1 to 4 (typically 3) abdominal segments. Later instars may have a wide dusky gray lateral band.
Where is Episemasia cervinaria - Hodges#6714 found?
Range: South-central US: Primarily eastern half of Texas and Oklahoma, barely entering western Arkansas and possibly western edge of Louisiana (?).
What does Episemasia cervinaria - Hodges#6714 eat?
The diet of the Episemasia cervinaria - Hodges#6714 includes Associated with Yaupon - Ilex.
When is Episemasia cervinaria - Hodges#6714 active?
Episemasia cervinaria - Hodges#6714: seasonal activity - Recorded in all months in Texas, but primary flight is February - April with a secondary flight in September..