Dimorphic Eulithis - Hodges#7203
Eulithis molliculata
This record describes Eulithis molliculata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
forewing ground color brownish in males, yellowish in females; a triangular dark brown patch near the apex has a single rounded notch and is bordered proximally by a white line; the middle of the forewing contains numerous rounded, elongated shapes fused together to resemble the carpal and metacarpal bones of a human hand, bent at the wrist (these two characteristics are distinctive); the patterns are surrounded by whitish shading, especially along the costa and in the subterminal area Apparently a rare or local species with restricted distribution; little information available on the Internet
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
Geographic Range
Quebec, Ontario, and northeastern United States
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from June to August
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on leaves of Ninebark ( Physocarpus opulifolius ) and probably gooseberry ( Ribes spp.)
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Eulithis molliculata. 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 Dimorphic Eulithis - Hodges#7203 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by anitagould , marcie oconnor
Frequently Asked Questions About Dimorphic Eulithis - Hodges#7203
What is Dimorphic Eulithis - Hodges#7203?
Dimorphic Eulithis - Hodges#7203 (Eulithis molliculata) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Dimorphic Eulithis - Hodges#7203?
wingspan about 28 mm, based on Moth Photographers Group specimen
How do you identify Dimorphic Eulithis - Hodges#7203?
forewing ground color brownish in males, yellowish in females; a triangular dark brown patch near the apex has a single rounded notch and is bordered proximally by a white line; the middle of the forewing contains numerous rounded, elongated shapes fused together to resemble the carpal and metacarpal bones of a human hand, bent at the wrist (these two characteristics are distinctive); the patterns are surrounded by whitish shading, especially along the costa and in the subterminal area
Where is Dimorphic Eulithis - Hodges#7203 found?
Range: Quebec, Ontario, and northeastern United States
What does Dimorphic Eulithis - Hodges#7203 eat?
The diet of the Dimorphic Eulithis - Hodges#7203 includes larvae feed on leaves of Ninebark ( Physocarpus opulifolius ) and probably gooseberry ( Ribes spp.).
When is Dimorphic Eulithis - Hodges#7203 active?
Dimorphic Eulithis - Hodges#7203: seasonal activity - adults fly from June to August.