White Eulithis - Hodges#7206
Eulithis explanata
This record describes Eulithis explanata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing white with dark gray basal, median, and terminal shading, heaviest just below apex; shading in median area may be broken into upper and lower patches by variably wide white band crossing median area; AM and PM lines obscure, scalloped; ST line white, zigzag; discal spot black; hindwing white with gray shading and traces of lines, heaviest toward anal angle [description by Charles Covell]
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Larentiinae
- Tribe
- Hydriomenini
- Genus
- Eulithis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
bogs and shrubby areas where foodplant grows; adults are nocturnal and attracted to light
Geographic Range
Newfoundland south in mountains to North Carolina, west to Colorado, north to Alberta
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from June to September
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on leaves of blueberry ( Vaccinium spp.)
Life History
one generation per year
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Eulithis explanata. 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 White Eulithis - Hodges#7206 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Tony-2 , Robert H. Biagi , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About White Eulithis - Hodges#7206
What is White Eulithis - Hodges#7206?
White Eulithis - Hodges#7206 (Eulithis explanata) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is White Eulithis - Hodges#7206?
wingspan 28-35 mm
How do you identify White Eulithis - Hodges#7206?
Adult: forewing white with dark gray basal, median, and terminal shading, heaviest just below apex; shading in median area may be broken into upper and lower patches by variably wide white band crossing median area; AM and PM lines obscure, scalloped; ST line white, zigzag; discal spot black; hindwing white with gray shading and traces of lines, heaviest toward anal angle [description by Charles Covell]
Where is White Eulithis - Hodges#7206 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | bogs and shrubby areas where foodplant grows; adults are nocturnal and attracted to light |
| Range | Newfoundland south in mountains to North Carolina, west to Colorado, north to Alberta |
What does White Eulithis - Hodges#7206 eat?
The diet of the White Eulithis - Hodges#7206 includes larvae feed on leaves of blueberry ( Vaccinium spp.).
When is White Eulithis - Hodges#7206 active?
White Eulithis - Hodges#7206: seasonal activity - adults fly from June to September.
What is the life cycle of a White Eulithis - Hodges#7206?
one generation per year