LepidopteraGeometridae – Geometrid Moths

Hydriomena expurgata - Hodges#7224

Hydriomena expurgata

This record describes Hydriomena expurgata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Hydriomena expurgata - Hodges#7224 - Hydriomena expurgata
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily
Geometroidea
Family
Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
Subfamily
Larentiinae
Tribe
Hydriomenini
Genus
Hydriomena

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

California to Colorado and British Columbia. , , Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.

Seasonal Activity

Adults are most common from May to August. ( 3 )

Diet and Behavior

Diet: Unknown.

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Hydriomena expurgata. 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.

Explore Lepidoptera families and species →

Photos of Hydriomena expurgata - Hodges#7224 (5)

Hydriomena expurgata - Hodges#7224 - photo 1
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Hydriomena expurgata - Hodges#7224 - photo 2
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Hydriomena expurgata - Hodges#7224 - photo 3
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Hydriomena expurgata - Hodges#7224 - photo 4
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Hydriomena expurgata - Hodges#7224 - photo 5
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Frequently Asked Questions About Hydriomena expurgata - Hodges#7224

Where is Hydriomena expurgata - Hodges#7224 found?

Range: California to Colorado and British Columbia. , , Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.

What does Hydriomena expurgata - Hodges#7224 eat?

The diet of the Hydriomena expurgata - Hodges#7224 includes Unknown..

When is Hydriomena expurgata - Hodges#7224 active?

Hydriomena expurgata - Hodges#7224: seasonal activity - Adults are most common from May to August. ( 3 ).

How we use and review source data. Source count does not imply independent verification.

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.