Eupithecia strattonata - Hodges#7523
Eupithecia strattonata
This record describes Eupithecia strattonata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing dull rusty or reddish-brown beyond PM line and in basal area; median area less so, slightly more grayish; discal spot black, distinct; PM line composed of short dark streaks along veins; subterminal line toothed, faint, with whitish dots at points of teeth, and jog in line near costa; several dark patches along basal two-thirds of costa, and short dark transverse lines along inner margin; fringe grayish with some dark and pale scales; hindwing similar but slightly paler basally, with small faint discal dot
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
damp fields and open places, abandoned pastures, around marshes, bogs, or any flat wet area [Handfield, 1999]; adults are nocturnal and come to light
Geographic Range
Newfoundland and Nova Scotia to Ontario, plus adjacent northeastern states
Seasonal Activity
adults fly in June and July
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on alder and Spiraea , and one individual was discovered and reared on the fruit of Red Baneberry ( Actaea rubra ) [Handfield, 1999]
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Eupithecia strattonata. 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 strattonata - Hodges#7523 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Tony-2
Frequently Asked Questions About Eupithecia strattonata - Hodges#7523
What is Eupithecia strattonata - Hodges#7523?
Eupithecia strattonata - Hodges#7523 (Eupithecia strattonata) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Eupithecia strattonata - Hodges#7523?
wingspan about 17 mm, based on two Internet images
How do you identify Eupithecia strattonata - Hodges#7523?
Adult: forewing dull rusty or reddish-brown beyond PM line and in basal area; median area less so, slightly more grayish; discal spot black, distinct; PM line composed of short dark streaks along veins; subterminal line toothed, faint, with whitish dots at points of teeth, and jog in line near costa; several dark patches along basal two-thirds of costa, and short dark transverse lines along inner margin; fringe grayish with some dark and pale scales; hindwing similar but slightly paler basally, with small faint discal dot
Where is Eupithecia strattonata - Hodges#7523 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | damp fields and open places, abandoned pastures, around marshes, bogs, or any flat wet area [Handfield, 1999]; adults are nocturnal and come to light |
| Range | Newfoundland and Nova Scotia to Ontario, plus adjacent northeastern states |
What does Eupithecia strattonata - Hodges#7523 eat?
The diet of the Eupithecia strattonata - Hodges#7523 includes larvae feed on alder and Spiraea , and one individual was discovered and reared on the fruit of Red Baneberry ( Actaea rubra ) [Handfield, 1999].
When is Eupithecia strattonata - Hodges#7523 active?
Eupithecia strattonata - Hodges#7523: seasonal activity - adults fly in June and July.