Raspberry Wave Moth - Hodges#7177
Leptostales laevitaria
This record describes Leptostales laevitaria (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing pink with pale yellow PM line, subterminal line, and basal strip extending halfway along costa; PM line broad; subterminal line thin, double; both lines smooth, almost straight; hindwing similar color and pattern as forewing but lacks basal strip
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Sterrhinae
- Tribe
- Scopulini
- Genus
- Leptostales
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
wet lowland pine forests
Geographic Range
southeastern United States: North Carolina to Florida , west to Mississippi
Seasonal Activity
adults fly in spring and summer
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Leptostales laevitaria. 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 Raspberry Wave Moth - Hodges#7177 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Raspberry Wave Moth - Hodges#7177
What is Raspberry Wave Moth - Hodges#7177?
Raspberry Wave Moth - Hodges#7177 (Leptostales laevitaria) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Raspberry Wave Moth - Hodges#7177?
wingspan about 15 mm, based on Jim Vargo photo at MPG
How do you identify Raspberry Wave Moth - Hodges#7177?
Adult: forewing pink with pale yellow PM line, subterminal line, and basal strip extending halfway along costa; PM line broad; subterminal line thin, double; both lines smooth, almost straight; hindwing similar color and pattern as forewing but lacks basal strip
Where is Raspberry Wave Moth - Hodges#7177 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | wet lowland pine forests |
| Range | southeastern United States: North Carolina to Florida , west to Mississippi |
When is Raspberry Wave Moth - Hodges#7177 active?
Raspberry Wave Moth - Hodges#7177: seasonal activity - adults fly in spring and summer.