Pine Measuringworm - Hodges#6656
Hypagyrtis piniata
This record describes Hypagyrtis piniata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: wings grayish-brown, evenly peppered with black; no orangish-brown shading; subterminal spot on forewing white, irregular, inconspicuous; lines blackish; PM line sinuous, toothed; black discal spots on all wings; hindwing margin scalloped [description by Charles Covell] Larva: head light brown with dark mottling; body light reddish-brown; pale yellow diamond pattern on dorsum; black chevron on dorsum of each abdominal segment [description by Canadian Forest Service]
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Ennominae
- Tribe
- Bistonini
- Genus
- Hypagyrtis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
coniferous and mixed forests
Geographic Range
southern Canada and northern United States, south in the east to North Carolina
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from June to August larvae overwinters and feeds until June or July
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on coniferous trees: cedar, fir, hemlock, pine, spruce, tamarack
Life History
one generation per year; overwinters as a larva; larvae become active in spring, and feed until June or July; pupation occurs in July and August
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Hypagyrtis piniata. 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 Pine Measuringworm - Hodges#6656 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , Fyn Kynd
Frequently Asked Questions About Pine Measuringworm - Hodges#6656
What is Pine Measuringworm - Hodges#6656?
Pine Measuringworm - Hodges#6656 (Hypagyrtis piniata) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Pine Measuringworm - Hodges#6656?
wingspan 22-35 mm larva length to 27 mm
How do you identify Pine Measuringworm - Hodges#6656?
Adult: wings grayish-brown, evenly peppered with black; no orangish-brown shading; subterminal spot on forewing white, irregular, inconspicuous; lines blackish; PM line sinuous, toothed; black discal spots on all wings; hindwing margin scalloped [description by Charles Covell] Larva: head light brown with dark mottling; body light reddish-brown; pale yellow diamond pattern on dorsum; black chevron on dorsum of each abdominal segment [description by Canadian Forest Service]
Where is Pine Measuringworm - Hodges#6656 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | coniferous and mixed forests |
| Range | southern Canada and northern United States, south in the east to North Carolina |
What does Pine Measuringworm - Hodges#6656 eat?
The diet of the Pine Measuringworm - Hodges#6656 includes larvae feed on coniferous trees: cedar, fir, hemlock, pine, spruce, tamarack.
When is Pine Measuringworm - Hodges#6656 active?
Pine Measuringworm - Hodges#6656: seasonal activity - adults fly from June to August larvae overwinters and feeds until June or July.
What is the life cycle of a Pine Measuringworm - Hodges#6656?
one generation per year; overwinters as a larva; larvae become active in spring, and feed until June or July; pupation occurs in July and August