Macaria simplex - Hodges#6281
Macaria simplex
This record describes Macaria simplex (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The original description as Pygmaena simplex Dyar, is available online at the link in the print references below. - Forewing is plain gray-brown with evenly rounded outer margin. There is usually a thin dark postmedial line but it can be faint or missing. Forewing and hindwing have discal spot.
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
Found at elevations of 5,000 to 10,300'.
Geographic Range
Wyoming to Alberta and British Columbia. Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly from mid-July through August.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval host is unknown but adults are often found near willows.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Macaria simplex. 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 simplex - Hodges#6281 (4)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Robert Lord Zimlich
Frequently Asked Questions About Macaria simplex - Hodges#6281
What is Macaria simplex - Hodges#6281?
Macaria simplex - Hodges#6281 (Macaria simplex) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Macaria simplex - Hodges#6281?
Forewing length ♂ 12-15 mm. ♀ 9 mm
How do you identify Macaria simplex - Hodges#6281?
The original description as Pygmaena simplex Dyar, is available online at the link in the print references below. - Forewing is plain gray-brown with evenly rounded outer margin. There is usually a thin dark postmedial line but it can be faint or missing. Forewing and hindwing have discal spot.
Where is Macaria simplex - Hodges#6281 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Found at elevations of 5,000 to 10,300'. |
| Range | Wyoming to Alberta and British Columbia. Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data. |
What does Macaria simplex - Hodges#6281 eat?
The diet of the Macaria simplex - Hodges#6281 includes Larval host is unknown but adults are often found near willows..
When is Macaria simplex - Hodges#6281 active?
Macaria simplex - Hodges#6281: seasonal activity - Adults fly from mid-July through August..