Owen's Larch Granite - Hodges#6351
Macaria oweni
This record describes Macaria oweni (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing white, heavily speckled with grey; four heavy black blotches along costa. AM and PM lines bold, black, jagged; median line usually broken into several dark spots. The white ground colour gives this species a very contrasting look, unlike the drabber, greyer Macaria species whose markings are otherwise similar. Except for small discal dot, hindwing lacks all black markings; ground colour and speckling similar to forewing.
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
boreal bogs and fens containing larch; adults are nocturnal and come to light
Geographic Range
Newfoundland to west-central Alberta, south in the east to northern New England (McGuffin 1972)
Seasonal Activity
adults fly in June and July
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed only on larch ( Larix spp.)
Life History
Eggs; larva; larva; pupa; adult
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Macaria oweni. 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 Owen's Larch Granite - Hodges#6351 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Robin McLeod , MightyMouse , marcie oconnor
Frequently Asked Questions About Owen's Larch Granite - Hodges#6351
What is Owen's Larch Granite - Hodges#6351?
Owen's Larch Granite - Hodges#6351 (Macaria oweni) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Owen's Larch Granite - Hodges#6351?
wingspan 23-25 mm, based on two Internet images
How do you identify Owen's Larch Granite - Hodges#6351?
Adult: forewing white, heavily speckled with grey; four heavy black blotches along costa. AM and PM lines bold, black, jagged; median line usually broken into several dark spots. The white ground colour gives this species a very contrasting look, unlike the drabber, greyer Macaria species whose markings are otherwise similar. Except for small discal dot, hindwing lacks all black markings; ground colour and speckling similar to forewing.
Where is Owen's Larch Granite - Hodges#6351 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | boreal bogs and fens containing larch; adults are nocturnal and come to light |
| Range | Newfoundland to west-central Alberta, south in the east to northern New England (McGuffin 1972) |
What does Owen's Larch Granite - Hodges#6351 eat?
The diet of the Owen's Larch Granite - Hodges#6351 includes larvae feed only on larch ( Larix spp.).
When is Owen's Larch Granite - Hodges#6351 active?
Owen's Larch Granite - Hodges#6351: seasonal activity - adults fly in June and July.
What is the life cycle of a Owen's Larch Granite - Hodges#6351?
Eggs; larva; larva; pupa; adult