Straight-lined Wave Moth - Hodges#7097
Lobocleta plemyraria
This record describes Lobocleta plemyraria (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
- Sterrhinae
- Tribe
- Sterrhini
- Genus
- Lobocleta
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Heppner reported the range to include New Jersey to Florida, South Dakota to Texas. Moth Photographers Group includes New Mexico to southern California. ,
Seasonal Activity
The main flight period is March through October. Heppner reported year round in Florida.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Heppner reported the host as unknown. Powell & Opler mentioned Noel McFarland reported the larval host as Chamaesyce sp. (sandmat).
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Lobocleta plemyraria. 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 Straight-lined Wave Moth - Hodges#7097 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jeff Hollenbeck; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Straight-lined Wave Moth - Hodges#7097
How big is Straight-lined Wave Moth - Hodges#7097?
Powell & Opler listed the forewing length as 7-9 mm.
Where is Straight-lined Wave Moth - Hodges#7097 found?
Range: Heppner reported the range to include New Jersey to Florida, South Dakota to Texas. Moth Photographers Group includes New Mexico to southern California. ,
What does Straight-lined Wave Moth - Hodges#7097 eat?
The diet of the Straight-lined Wave Moth - Hodges#7097 includes Heppner reported the host as unknown. Powell & Opler mentioned Noel McFarland reported the larval host as Chamaesyce sp. (sandmat)..
When is Straight-lined Wave Moth - Hodges#7097 active?
Straight-lined Wave Moth - Hodges#7097: seasonal activity - The main flight period is March through October. Heppner reported year round in Florida..