Episemasia solitaria - Hodges#6713
Episemasia solitaria
This record describes Episemasia solitaria (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
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
Habitat
Undisturbed, sandy, coastal plains (James Adams, Dalton State)
Geographic Range
Southeastern United States to New Jersey and west to Texas. , Type locality: USA: East Florida. Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
Seasonal Activity
Most records are from February to September. ( 4 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval host is American holly, Ilex opaca Aiton
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Episemasia solitaria. 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 solitaria - Hodges#6713 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Episemasia solitaria - Hodges#6713
Where is Episemasia solitaria - Hodges#6713 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Undisturbed, sandy, coastal plains (James Adams, Dalton State) |
| Range | Southeastern United States to New Jersey and west to Texas. , Type locality: USA: East Florida. Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data. |
What does Episemasia solitaria - Hodges#6713 eat?
The diet of the Episemasia solitaria - Hodges#6713 includes Larval host is American holly, Ilex opaca Aiton.
When is Episemasia solitaria - Hodges#6713 active?
Episemasia solitaria - Hodges#6713: seasonal activity - Most records are from February to September. ( 4 ).