Gerra sevorsa - Hodges#9303
Gerra sevorsa
This record describes Gerra sevorsa (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wanders around on branches and suitable surfaces with wings held high, revealing the striking underside pattern. At rest the wings are hastily folded together and rested against the surface, revealing the less colourful side of the moth.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Agaristinae
- Genus
- Gerra
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Southeast Arizona and north central New Mexico south to Panama.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Parthenocissus, Vitis and perhaps other Vitaceae. Wild Grape - (Vitis arizonica) USDA Plant Profile
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Gerra sevorsa. 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 Gerra sevorsa - Hodges#9303 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Tim Loh; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , MightyMouse , David Ferguson , James Bailey , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Gerra sevorsa - Hodges#9303
What is Gerra sevorsa - Hodges#9303?
Gerra sevorsa - Hodges#9303 (Gerra sevorsa) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Gerra sevorsa - Hodges#9303?
Forewing length 15-19 mm. Pupa 15-19 mm (Comstock, 1961).
Where is Gerra sevorsa - Hodges#9303 found?
Range: Southeast Arizona and north central New Mexico south to Panama.
What does Gerra sevorsa - Hodges#9303 eat?
The diet of the Gerra sevorsa - Hodges#9303 includes Parthenocissus, Vitis and perhaps other Vitaceae. Wild Grape - (Vitis arizonica) USDA Plant Profile.