Iridopsis dataria - Hodges#6573
Iridopsis dataria
This record describes Iridopsis dataria (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Ennominae
- Tribe
- Boarmiini
- Genus
- Iridopsis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Southern Arizona to central Texas and Chihuahua, Mexico. ( 3 )
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly from March through September in Arizona, and from February into November in southern Texas. ( 3 )
Diet and Behavior
Life History
At least two generations a year in Arizona. ( 3 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Iridopsis dataria. 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 Iridopsis dataria - Hodges#6573 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Chuck Sexton , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Iridopsis dataria - Hodges#6573
How big is Iridopsis dataria - Hodges#6573?
Rindge (1966) listed the forewing length. ( 3 ) ♂ 14-16 mm. ♀ 16-19 mm.
Where is Iridopsis dataria - Hodges#6573 found?
Range: Southern Arizona to central Texas and Chihuahua, Mexico. ( 3 )
When is Iridopsis dataria - Hodges#6573 active?
Iridopsis dataria - Hodges#6573: seasonal activity - Adults fly from March through September in Arizona, and from February into November in southern Texas. ( 3 ).
What is the life cycle of a Iridopsis dataria - Hodges#6573?
At least two generations a year in Arizona. ( 3 )