Hulstina xera - Hodges#6544
Hulstina xera
This record describes Hulstina xera (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Detailed description is available in Rindge in link under citations below. From the key to species in Rindge, PM line represented by venular dots as it approaches the costal margin.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Ennominae
- Tribe
- Boarmiini
- Genus
- Hulstina
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
WA, OR, northern CA, ID, WY. Holotype: Alturas, Modoc Co., CA.
Seasonal Activity
June, July, August
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Hulstina xera. 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 Hulstina xera - Hodges#6544 (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Steve Nanz; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Hulstina xera - Hodges#6544
What is Hulstina xera - Hodges#6544?
Hulstina xera - Hodges#6544 (Hulstina xera) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Hulstina xera - Hodges#6544?
forewing length = 14-18 mm
How do you identify Hulstina xera - Hodges#6544?
Detailed description is available in Rindge in link under citations below. From the key to species in Rindge, PM line represented by venular dots as it approaches the costal margin.
Where is Hulstina xera - Hodges#6544 found?
Range: WA, OR, northern CA, ID, WY. Holotype: Alturas, Modoc Co., CA.
When is Hulstina xera - Hodges#6544 active?
Hulstina xera - Hodges#6544: seasonal activity - June, July, August.