Six-spotted Angle - Hodges#6343
Macaria sexmaculata
This record describes Macaria sexmaculata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: amount of spotting varies: well-marked individuals have 3 lines running completely across the forewing, and the beginning of a 4th (subterminal) line at the costa; large dark blotch present in subterminal area halfway across wing; forewing ground color white, shading to medium brown in subterminal area hindwing ground color white; 3 lines noticeable along inner margin but fade out before reaching halfway across wing; both wings covered with brown speckling Larva: body green with distinct pale stripes; also purplish-brown form; yellowish-green head with bluish forehead; dark green middorsal stripe edged distinctly with white; broad, white subdorsal stripe; mainly white spiracular stripe with light yellow near spiracles; yellow band on hind margin of segments; prolegs usually blushed with whitish-yellow
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 forest, edges of sphagnum bogs, mixed woods with tamarack or western larch
Geographic Range
from Alaska to Nunavut and Newfoundland, south in the east to Massachusetts, and south in the west to Oregon
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from June to August larvae from July to October
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on tamarack and western larch
Life History
one or two generations per year; overwinters as a pupa in soil or sphagnum moss
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: SEXMACULATA: from the Latin "sex" (six) + "macula" (a spot); refers to the adult, and is the origin of the common name "Six-spotted Angle"
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Macaria sexmaculata. 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 Six-spotted Angle - Hodges#6343 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by anitagould , marcie oconnor , Blocky , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Six-spotted Angle - Hodges#6343
What is Six-spotted Angle - Hodges#6343?
Six-spotted Angle - Hodges#6343 (Macaria sexmaculata) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Six-spotted Angle - Hodges#6343?
wingspan 16-24 mm larvae to 18 mm
How do you identify Six-spotted Angle - Hodges#6343?
Adult: amount of spotting varies: well-marked individuals have 3 lines running completely across the forewing, and the beginning of a 4th (subterminal) line at the costa; large dark blotch present in subterminal area halfway across wing; forewing ground color white, shading to medium brown in subterminal area hindwing ground color white; 3 lines noticeable along inner margin but fade out before reaching halfway across wing; both wings covered with brown speckling Larva: body green with distinct pale stripes; also purplish-brown form; yellowish-green head with bluish forehead; dark green middorsal stripe edged distinctly with white; broad, white subdorsal stripe; mainly white spiracular stripe with light yellow near spiracles; yellow band on hind margin of segments; prolegs usually blushed with whitish-yellow
Where is Six-spotted Angle - Hodges#6343 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | boreal forest, edges of sphagnum bogs, mixed woods with tamarack or western larch |
| Range | from Alaska to Nunavut and Newfoundland, south in the east to Massachusetts, and south in the west to Oregon |
What does Six-spotted Angle - Hodges#6343 eat?
The diet of the Six-spotted Angle - Hodges#6343 includes larvae feed on tamarack and western larch.
When is Six-spotted Angle - Hodges#6343 active?
Six-spotted Angle - Hodges#6343: seasonal activity - adults fly from June to August larvae from July to October.
What is the life cycle of a Six-spotted Angle - Hodges#6343?
one or two generations per year; overwinters as a pupa in soil or sphagnum moss