Columbian Eupithecia - Hodges#7459
Eupithecia columbiata
This record describes Eupithecia columbiata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD) female - long striated, sclerotized section of ductus bursae above appendix bursae male - lyre-shaped 8th sternite - unique to North American Eupithecia
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Larentiinae
- Tribe
- Eupitheciini
- Genus
- Eupithecia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Vancouver Island to New Brunswick and Newfoundland, south to North Carolina; to Colorado in the West. , ,
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly in early Spring and the species overwinters as pupae. ( 5 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae have been associated with willow. ( 5 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet for the type location, British Columbia.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Eupithecia columbiata. 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 Columbian Eupithecia - Hodges#7459 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Tony-2 , Randy Hardy , JoAnneRusso , Blocky , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Columbian Eupithecia - Hodges#7459
What is Columbian Eupithecia - Hodges#7459?
Columbian Eupithecia - Hodges#7459 (Eupithecia columbiata) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Columbian Eupithecia - Hodges#7459?
Wingspan 13-24 mm.
How do you identify Columbian Eupithecia - Hodges#7459?
Specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD) female - long striated, sclerotized section of ductus bursae above appendix bursae male - lyre-shaped 8th sternite - unique to North American Eupithecia
Where is Columbian Eupithecia - Hodges#7459 found?
Range: Vancouver Island to New Brunswick and Newfoundland, south to North Carolina; to Colorado in the West. , ,
What does Columbian Eupithecia - Hodges#7459 eat?
The diet of the Columbian Eupithecia - Hodges#7459 includes Larvae have been associated with willow. ( 5 ).
When is Columbian Eupithecia - Hodges#7459 active?
Columbian Eupithecia - Hodges#7459: seasonal activity - Adults fly in early Spring and the species overwinters as pupae. ( 5 ).