Glena nigricaria - Hodges#6448
Glena nigricaria
This record describes Glena nigricaria (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult - forewing light to dark gray with black lines, variably sharp and distinct to diffuse and indistinct; AM line does not extend onto hindwing; first abdominal segment same color as remaining segments (not pale). Specimens identified by DNA analysis: Larva - final instar larva is light green with a blue or grey line inside a broad dorsal stripe, with grey or white longitudinal lines, and a brown patch on the thoracic and first abdominal segments.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Ennominae
- Tribe
- Boarmiini
- Genus
- Glena
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
British Columbia to eastern California, east to Arizona, south into Mexico.
Seasonal Activity
Larvae feed from mid-July to early September. Adults fly mid-May to mid-August.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval host are pines, predominantly ponderosa pine, but also lodgepole pine and Douglas-fir.
Life History
Larva drops to the ground to pupate in a thin shelter near the surface of the soil.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Glena nigricaria. 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 Glena nigricaria - Hodges#6448 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Glena nigricaria - Hodges#6448
What is Glena nigricaria - Hodges#6448?
Glena nigricaria - Hodges#6448 (Glena nigricaria) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Glena nigricaria - Hodges#6448?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | Wingspan 32-36 mm. |
| Forewing | Forewing length 15-20 mm. |
How do you identify Glena nigricaria - Hodges#6448?
Adult - forewing light to dark gray with black lines, variably sharp and distinct to diffuse and indistinct; AM line does not extend onto hindwing; first abdominal segment same color as remaining segments (not pale). Specimens identified by DNA analysis: Larva - final instar larva is light green with a blue or grey line inside a broad dorsal stripe, with grey or white longitudinal lines, and a brown patch on the thoracic and first abdominal segments.
Where is Glena nigricaria - Hodges#6448 found?
Range: British Columbia to eastern California, east to Arizona, south into Mexico.
What does Glena nigricaria - Hodges#6448 eat?
The diet of the Glena nigricaria - Hodges#6448 includes Larval host are pines, predominantly ponderosa pine, but also lodgepole pine and Douglas-fir..
When is Glena nigricaria - Hodges#6448 active?
Glena nigricaria - Hodges#6448: seasonal activity - Larvae feed from mid-July to early September. Adults fly mid-May to mid-August..
What is the life cycle of a Glena nigricaria - Hodges#6448?
Larva drops to the ground to pupate in a thin shelter near the surface of the soil.