Heterusia atalantata - Hodges#7367
Heterusia atalantata
This record describes Heterusia atalantata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Unmistakeable upperwing pattern, brilliant yellow with a wide black border. At rest, hides this by folding wings up over its back and showing only the undersurface of the hindwings, which are mottled in various shades of brown. This diurnal moth is not very common in south Texas, but fairly conspicuous
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Larentiinae
- Tribe
- Stamnodini
- Genus
- Heterusia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Typically flies in shaded areas, especially along wooded canals. (Knudson & Bordelon 2002)
Geographic Range
s. TX (as a stray) / south to Brazil (Type Locality) - Map (MPG)
Seasonal Activity
Nov-May (BG data)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Adults feed on nectar and have been recorded coming to butterfly bait (old bananas mixed with beer, etc.).
Life History
Larval host(s) unknown (Knudson & Bordelon 2002)
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Heterusia atalantata. 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 Heterusia atalantata - Hodges#7367 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Joshua Stuart Rose; Additional contributions by Chuck Entz , Mike Quinn , Maury Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Heterusia atalantata - Hodges#7367
What is Heterusia atalantata - Hodges#7367?
Heterusia atalantata - Hodges#7367 (Heterusia atalantata) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Heterusia atalantata - Hodges#7367?
wingspan 30 mm (Guenée 1857)
How do you identify Heterusia atalantata - Hodges#7367?
Unmistakeable upperwing pattern, brilliant yellow with a wide black border. At rest, hides this by folding wings up over its back and showing only the undersurface of the hindwings, which are mottled in various shades of brown.
Where is Heterusia atalantata - Hodges#7367 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Typically flies in shaded areas, especially along wooded canals. (Knudson & Bordelon 2002) |
| Range | s. TX (as a stray) / south to Brazil (Type Locality) - Map (MPG) |
What does Heterusia atalantata - Hodges#7367 eat?
The diet of the Heterusia atalantata - Hodges#7367 includes Adults feed on nectar and have been recorded coming to butterfly bait (old bananas mixed with beer, etc.)..
When is Heterusia atalantata - Hodges#7367 active?
Heterusia atalantata - Hodges#7367: seasonal activity - Nov-May (BG data).
What is the life cycle of a Heterusia atalantata - Hodges#7367?
Larval host(s) unknown (Knudson & Bordelon 2002)