Cypress Looper - Hodges#6580
Iridopsis pergracilis
This record describes Iridopsis pergracilis (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: wings whitish or pale tan with black AM and PM lines, often bordered by dark gray shading; dark-outlined oval discal spot on all wings; subterminal line scalloped, whitish or pale tan; terminal line a series of dark dots; female often has yellowish-brown shading inside AM line and between PM and subterminal lines Larva: light grayish with reddish-brown dorsal patches bordered by subdorsal black stripe; sides whitish or pale yellow with extensive black mottling
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
Habitat
cypress forests
Geographic Range
Maryland to Florida
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on leaves of Bald Cypress ( Taxodium distichum )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Iridopsis pergracilis. 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 Cypress Looper - Hodges#6580 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Cypress Looper - Hodges#6580
What is Cypress Looper - Hodges#6580?
Cypress Looper - Hodges#6580 (Iridopsis pergracilis) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Cypress Looper - Hodges#6580?
wingspan 26-28 mm, female larger than male
How do you identify Cypress Looper - Hodges#6580?
Adult: wings whitish or pale tan with black AM and PM lines, often bordered by dark gray shading; dark-outlined oval discal spot on all wings; subterminal line scalloped, whitish or pale tan; terminal line a series of dark dots; female often has yellowish-brown shading inside AM line and between PM and subterminal lines Larva: light grayish with reddish-brown dorsal patches bordered by subdorsal black stripe; sides whitish or pale yellow with extensive black mottling
Where is Cypress Looper - Hodges#6580 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | cypress forests |
| Range | Maryland to Florida |
What does Cypress Looper - Hodges#6580 eat?
The diet of the Cypress Looper - Hodges#6580 includes larvae feed on leaves of Bald Cypress ( Taxodium distichum ).