Split-Lined Speranza - Hodges#6304
Macaria bitactata
This record describes Macaria bitactata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult : Gray with bold, black transverse lines on FW. The four dark costal wedges typical of the genus, continue as AM, PM and median lines. The median line broadest and incorporating the discal spot. AM and PM line sometimes broken. HW slightly paler, speckled grey with a faint (sometimes absent), PM line and discal spot, slightly darker marginal area. Specimen identified by DNA analysis:
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
Habitat
Moist open woods and shrubby areas.
Geographic Range
Newfoundland west to the Yukon and B.C., south to California
Seasonal Activity
Flies in July and August, peaking in mid-July.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on alder (Alnus sp.) and gooseberry (Ribes sp.)
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Macaria bitactata. 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 Split-Lined Speranza - Hodges#6304 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Robin McLeod , ceiseman , Robert Lord Zimlich , Randy Hardy , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Split-Lined Speranza - Hodges#6304
What is Split-Lined Speranza - Hodges#6304?
Split-Lined Speranza - Hodges#6304 (Macaria bitactata) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How do you identify Split-Lined Speranza - Hodges#6304?
Adult : Gray with bold, black transverse lines on FW. The four dark costal wedges typical of the genus, continue as AM, PM and median lines. The median line broadest and incorporating the discal spot. AM and PM line sometimes broken. HW slightly paler, speckled grey with a faint (sometimes absent), PM line and discal spot, slightly darker marginal area. Specimen identified by DNA analysis:
Where is Split-Lined Speranza - Hodges#6304 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Moist open woods and shrubby areas. |
| Range | Newfoundland west to the Yukon and B.C., south to California |
What does Split-Lined Speranza - Hodges#6304 eat?
The diet of the Split-Lined Speranza - Hodges#6304 includes Larvae feed on alder (Alnus sp.) and gooseberry (Ribes sp.).
When is Split-Lined Speranza - Hodges#6304 active?
Split-Lined Speranza - Hodges#6304: seasonal activity - Flies in July and August, peaking in mid-July..