LepidopteraGeometridae – Geometrid Moths

Lambdina laeta - Hodges#6891

Lambdina laeta

This record describes Lambdina laeta (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Lambdina laeta - Hodges#6891 - Lambdina laeta
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris

Specimen identified by DNA (BOLD) ( 3 )

Identification notes

Specimen identified by DNA (BOLD) ( 3 )

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily
Geometroidea
Family
Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
Subfamily
Ennominae
Tribe
Ourapterygini
Genus
Lambdina

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

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

Arizona, New Mexico into Mexico. Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.

Seasonal Activity

Records of adults are mostly from May to November.

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Lambdina laeta. 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 Lambdina laeta - Hodges#6891 (5)

Lambdina laeta - Hodges#6891 - photo 1
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Lambdina laeta - Hodges#6891 - photo 2
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Lambdina laeta - Hodges#6891 - photo 3
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Lambdina laeta - Hodges#6891 - photo 4
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Lambdina laeta - Hodges#6891 - photo 5
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris

Frequently Asked Questions About Lambdina laeta - Hodges#6891

What is Lambdina laeta - Hodges#6891?

Lambdina laeta - Hodges#6891 (Lambdina laeta) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.

How big is Lambdina laeta - Hodges#6891?

Wingspan 27-32 mm. Hulst listed a wingspan of 27 mm.

How do you identify Lambdina laeta - Hodges#6891?

Specimen identified by DNA (BOLD) ( 3 )

Where is Lambdina laeta - Hodges#6891 found?

Range: Arizona, New Mexico into Mexico. Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.

When is Lambdina laeta - Hodges#6891 active?

Lambdina laeta - Hodges#6891: seasonal activity - Records of adults are mostly from May to November..

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

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