Dot-lined Wave - Hodges#7122
Idaea tacturata
This record describes Idaea tacturata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
wings pearly white, almost translucent, with sparse or no speckling; forewing has four variably conspicuous thin brownish, dotted or zigzag lines that continue onto hindwing; PM line usually thickest; ST line usually overlaid with fine blackish dots; tiny black discal dot on all wings, and variable scattering of blackish scales [adapted from description by Charles Covell]
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Sterrhinae
- Tribe
- Sterrhini
- Genus
- Idaea
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Virginia to Florida , west to southeastern coastal Texas
Seasonal Activity
Adults may be present year-round in the south.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae have been reared on clover.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Idaea tacturata. 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 Dot-lined Wave - Hodges#7122 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Dot-lined Wave - Hodges#7122
What is Dot-lined Wave - Hodges#7122?
Dot-lined Wave - Hodges#7122 (Idaea tacturata) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Dot-lined Wave - Hodges#7122?
wingspan 13-21 mm
How do you identify Dot-lined Wave - Hodges#7122?
wings pearly white, almost translucent, with sparse or no speckling; forewing has four variably conspicuous thin brownish, dotted or zigzag lines that continue onto hindwing; PM line usually thickest; ST line usually overlaid with fine blackish dots; tiny black discal dot on all wings, and variable scattering of blackish scales [adapted from description by Charles Covell]
Where is Dot-lined Wave - Hodges#7122 found?
Range: Virginia to Florida , west to southeastern coastal Texas
What does Dot-lined Wave - Hodges#7122 eat?
The diet of the Dot-lined Wave - Hodges#7122 includes Larvae have been reared on clover..
When is Dot-lined Wave - Hodges#7122 active?
Dot-lined Wave - Hodges#7122: seasonal activity - Adults may be present year-round in the south..