Juniper Looper - Hodges#7551
Eupithecia interruptofasciata
This record describes Eupithecia interruptofasciata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing grayish-brown with numerous dark transverse lines: single basal and median lines, and triple AM and PM lines; AM line sharply angled in middle; PM line jogs outward from costa; black oval discal spot interrupts median line; subterminal line pale, indistinct; terminal line checkered with dark and pale scales which continue into fringe; hindwing similarly colored but noticeably smaller than forewing Larva: two distinct color morphs. The more common green morph has a green head and body, black middorsal stripe, and cream-colored lateral flange. The brown morph has a light tan head with dark markings; the body is rusty brown with a black middorsal stripe above the cream-colored lateral flange, and purplish brown below. [Canadian Forest Service] Genitalia: ♀ ♂ Ventral plate of male 8th sternite is a simple rod arising from a broadened base; the apex of this rod is split into two short, outwardly directed prongs.
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
Habitat
forested areas containing foodplant; adults are nocturnal and come to light
Geographic Range
Yukon to Newfoundland, south in the east to Massachusetts, south in the west to California
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from July to October in British Columbia; March or April to July in California larvae present from May to early August, and pupation occurs in July and August in BC
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on Common Juniper ( Juniperus communis )
Life History
one generation per year; overwinters as an egg
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Eupithecia interruptofasciata. 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 Juniper Looper - Hodges#7551 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , Robert H. Biagi , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Juniper Looper - Hodges#7551
What is Juniper Looper - Hodges#7551?
Juniper Looper - Hodges#7551 (Eupithecia interruptofasciata) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Juniper Looper - Hodges#7551?
wingspan 15-20 mm, based on Internet photos larva length to 16 mm
How do you identify Juniper Looper - Hodges#7551?
Adult: forewing grayish-brown with numerous dark transverse lines: single basal and median lines, and triple AM and PM lines; AM line sharply angled in middle; PM line jogs outward from costa; black oval discal spot interrupts median line; subterminal line pale, indistinct; terminal line checkered with dark and pale scales which continue into fringe; hindwing similarly colored but noticeably smaller than forewing Larva: two distinct color morphs. The more common green morph has a green head and body, black middorsal stripe, and cream-colored lateral flange. The brown morph has a light tan head with dark markings; the body is rusty brown with a black middorsal stripe above the cream-colored lateral flange, and purplish brown below. [Canadian Forest Service] Genitalia: ♀ ♂ Ventral plate of male 8th sternite is a simple rod arising from a broadened base; the apex of this rod is split into two short, outwardly directed prongs.
Where is Juniper Looper - Hodges#7551 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | forested areas containing foodplant; adults are nocturnal and come to light |
| Range | Yukon to Newfoundland, south in the east to Massachusetts, south in the west to California |
What does Juniper Looper - Hodges#7551 eat?
The diet of the Juniper Looper - Hodges#7551 includes larvae feed on Common Juniper ( Juniperus communis ).
When is Juniper Looper - Hodges#7551 active?
Juniper Looper - Hodges#7551: seasonal activity - adults fly from July to October in British Columbia; March or April to July in California larvae present from May to early August, and pupation occurs in July and August in BC.
What is the life cycle of a Juniper Looper - Hodges#7551?
one generation per year; overwinters as an egg