Ersephila grandipennis - Hodges#7280
Ersephila grandipennis
This record describes Ersephila grandipennis (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Hulst original description is available in PDF and online in the print references.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Larentiinae
- Tribe
- Hydriomenini
- Genus
- Ersephila
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Scattered records from California to Washington, east to at least Texas and Colorado. , , Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
Seasonal Activity
Scattered records from February to October. ( 3 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Unknown.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet grandipennis is Latin meaning "large wing."
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Ersephila grandipennis. 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 Ersephila grandipennis - Hodges#7280 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Ersephila grandipennis - Hodges#7280
What is Ersephila grandipennis - Hodges#7280?
Ersephila grandipennis - Hodges#7280 (Ersephila grandipennis) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Ersephila grandipennis - Hodges#7280?
Wingspan is 42-52 mm.
How do you identify Ersephila grandipennis - Hodges#7280?
Hulst original description is available in PDF and online in the print references.
Where is Ersephila grandipennis - Hodges#7280 found?
Range: Scattered records from California to Washington, east to at least Texas and Colorado. , , Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
What does Ersephila grandipennis - Hodges#7280 eat?
The diet of the Ersephila grandipennis - Hodges#7280 includes Unknown..
When is Ersephila grandipennis - Hodges#7280 active?
Ersephila grandipennis - Hodges#7280: seasonal activity - Scattered records from February to October. ( 3 ).