Macaria austrinata - Hodges#6301.1
Macaria austrinata
This record describes Macaria austrinata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Yellow postmedial band is slightly irregular, often interrupted and not of uniform width. There is usually some dark gray shading on both sides of yellow band often being a dark wedge shaped spot on the outer side of the band. -
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Ennominae
- Tribe
- Macariini
- Genus
- Macaria
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
California, from Los Angeles and Ventura counties to Baja. There is some overlapping with Macaria guenearia in the northern part of the range. ,
Seasonal Activity
Records of adults are mostly from April to June.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval host is redberry buckthorn, Rhamnus crocea .
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Macaria austrinata. 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 Macaria austrinata - Hodges#6301.1 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Hartmut Wisch
Frequently Asked Questions About Macaria austrinata - Hodges#6301.1
What is Macaria austrinata - Hodges#6301.1?
Macaria austrinata - Hodges#6301.1 (Macaria austrinata) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Macaria austrinata - Hodges#6301.1?
Forewing length: ♀ 11-16 mm. ♂ 11-15 mm.
How do you identify Macaria austrinata - Hodges#6301.1?
Yellow postmedial band is slightly irregular, often interrupted and not of uniform width. There is usually some dark gray shading on both sides of yellow band often being a dark wedge shaped spot on the outer side of the band. -
Where is Macaria austrinata - Hodges#6301.1 found?
Range: California, from Los Angeles and Ventura counties to Baja. There is some overlapping with Macaria guenearia in the northern part of the range. ,
What does Macaria austrinata - Hodges#6301.1 eat?
The diet of the Macaria austrinata - Hodges#6301.1 includes Larval host is redberry buckthorn, Rhamnus crocea ..
When is Macaria austrinata - Hodges#6301.1 active?
Macaria austrinata - Hodges#6301.1: seasonal activity - Records of adults are mostly from April to June..