Macaria plumosata - Hodges#6296
Macaria plumosata
This record describes Macaria plumosata (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
- Ennominae
- Tribe
- Macariini
- Genus
- Macaria
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
montane areas with maple ( Acer ) species
Geographic Range
Ferguson reports the range to include Oregon, southern Columbia to Montana to Colorado, Arizona and California.
Seasonal Activity
Ferguson reports the flight period June to September.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Ferguson reports the larvae feed on Acer (maple).
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Macaria plumosata. 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 plumosata - Hodges#6296 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Chuck Entz; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , ceiseman , Randy Hardy , Blocky
Frequently Asked Questions About Macaria plumosata - Hodges#6296
How big is Macaria plumosata - Hodges#6296?
Ferguson reports the forewing length. ♂ 12-15 mm. ♀ 13-15 mm.
Where is Macaria plumosata - Hodges#6296 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | montane areas with maple ( Acer ) species |
| Range | Ferguson reports the range to include Oregon, southern Columbia to Montana to Colorado, Arizona and California. |
What does Macaria plumosata - Hodges#6296 eat?
The diet of the Macaria plumosata - Hodges#6296 includes Ferguson reports the larvae feed on Acer (maple)..
When is Macaria plumosata - Hodges#6296 active?
Macaria plumosata - Hodges#6296: seasonal activity - Ferguson reports the flight period June to September..