Eupithecia shirleyata - Hodges#7588
Eupithecia shirleyata
This record describes Eupithecia shirleyata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
In spite of the differences noted in the original description as distinguishing the species from subapicata , the only superficial one that seems to hold is the smaller size. There are tendencies towards a duller wing coloration, especially in the males, and the pale apical areas may be somewhat reduced in size, but these features do not always hold. The genitalia in both sexes offer, however, good characters.
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
Southern California (Pasadena, SanDiego, and adjacent areas).
Seasonal Activity
"end of November until late March or even early April"
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Eupithecia shirleyata. 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 Eupithecia shirleyata - Hodges#7588 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Steve Nanz; Additional contributions by JoAnneRusso
Frequently Asked Questions About Eupithecia shirleyata - Hodges#7588
What is Eupithecia shirleyata - Hodges#7588?
Eupithecia shirleyata - Hodges#7588 (Eupithecia shirleyata) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Eupithecia shirleyata - Hodges#7588?
23 mm according to Wikipedia
How do you identify Eupithecia shirleyata - Hodges#7588?
In spite of the differences noted in the original description as distinguishing the species from subapicata , the only superficial one that seems to hold is the smaller size. There are tendencies towards a duller wing coloration, especially in the males, and the pale apical areas may be somewhat reduced in size, but these features do not always hold. The genitalia in both sexes offer, however, good characters.
Where is Eupithecia shirleyata - Hodges#7588 found?
Range: Southern California (Pasadena, SanDiego, and adjacent areas).
When is Eupithecia shirleyata - Hodges#7588 active?
Eupithecia shirleyata - Hodges#7588: seasonal activity - end of November until late March or even early April.