Three-spotted Fillip - Hodges#7647
Heterophleps triguttaria
This record describes Heterophleps triguttaria (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Forewing whitish to pale yellowish-brown with three dark brown triangular spots evenly spaced along the costa.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Larentiinae
- Tribe
- Lobophorini
- Genus
- Heterophleps
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Mesic woodlands and forests
Geographic Range
North Carolina to Colorado, north to Ontario and Quebec.
Seasonal Activity
The main flight period is April to September.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on clearweed ( Pilea sp.). Reports from maple may be in error. Wagner et al write: "We attempted to rear a clutch of eggs on red and sugar maple - all the caterpillars died without feeding. The site where we discovered the figured individual has yielded more than three dozen caterpillars on clearweed."
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Heterophleps triguttaria. 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 Three-spotted Fillip - Hodges#7647 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by anitagould , Maury Heiman , marcie oconnor , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Three-spotted Fillip - Hodges#7647
What is Three-spotted Fillip - Hodges#7647?
Three-spotted Fillip - Hodges#7647 (Heterophleps triguttaria) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Three-spotted Fillip - Hodges#7647?
Wingspan averages 18-24 mm.
How do you identify Three-spotted Fillip - Hodges#7647?
Forewing whitish to pale yellowish-brown with three dark brown triangular spots evenly spaced along the costa.
Where is Three-spotted Fillip - Hodges#7647 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Mesic woodlands and forests |
| Range | North Carolina to Colorado, north to Ontario and Quebec. |
What does Three-spotted Fillip - Hodges#7647 eat?
The diet of the Three-spotted Fillip - Hodges#7647 includes Larvae feed on clearweed ( Pilea sp.). Reports from maple may be in error. Wagner et al write: We attempted to rear a clutch of eggs on red and sugar maple - all the caterpillars died without feeding. The site where we discovered the figured individual has yielded more than three dozen caterpillars on clearweed..
When is Three-spotted Fillip - Hodges#7647 active?
Three-spotted Fillip - Hodges#7647: seasonal activity - The main flight period is April to September..