LepidopteraGeometridae – Geometrid Moths

Eucaterva bonniwelli - Hodges#6919

Eucaterva bonniwelli

This record describes Eucaterva bonniwelli (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Eucaterva bonniwelli - Hodges#6919 - Eucaterva bonniwelli
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily
Geometroidea
Family
Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
Subfamily
Ennominae
Tribe
Ourapterygini
Genus
Eucaterva

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

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

Southern California to western Texas.

Seasonal Activity

The main flight period appears to be April to September.

Diet and Behavior

Diet: Cassino & Swett (1922) collected larvae on Chilopsis linearis (Cav.) Sweet (desertwillow) in Texas.

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Eucaterva bonniwelli. 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 Eucaterva bonniwelli - Hodges#6919 (2)

Eucaterva bonniwelli - Hodges#6919 - photo 1
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz
Eucaterva bonniwelli - Hodges#6919 - photo 2
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 Eucaterva bonniwelli - Hodges#6919

How big is Eucaterva bonniwelli - Hodges#6919?

Cassino & Swett (1922) listed the wingspan 25-30 mm.

Where is Eucaterva bonniwelli - Hodges#6919 found?

Range: Southern California to western Texas.

What does Eucaterva bonniwelli - Hodges#6919 eat?

The diet of the Eucaterva bonniwelli - Hodges#6919 includes Cassino & Swett (1922) collected larvae on Chilopsis linearis (Cav.) Sweet (desertwillow) in Texas..

When is Eucaterva bonniwelli - Hodges#6919 active?

Eucaterva bonniwelli - Hodges#6919: seasonal activity - The main flight period appears to be April to 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.