Speranza varadaria - Hodges#6314
Macaria varadaria
This record describes Macaria varadaria (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
forewing with the apex being slightly pointed and are yellow-brown to gray-brown; the bold postmedial band is nearly straight or slightly concave and has strong dark shading below that fades away to a lighter reddish-brown color towards the outer margin The shrub Baccharis halimifolia (groundseltree) from eastern North America was introduced to Australia and has become a serious problem weed there. This moth has been introduced to Australia to hopefully help control the shrub.
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
mainly a coastal species where the host plant thrives
Geographic Range
South Carolina south to Florida and west to the central Texas coast.
Seasonal Activity
adults fly year round in Florida, March to December in Texas and March to October in the remaining areas of the range
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larval host plant is Baccharis halimifolia (groundseltree) usda.gov - host plant information
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Macaria varadaria. 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 Speranza varadaria - Hodges#6314 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Eric R. Eaton; Additional contributions by Chuck Entz , Maury Heiman , ceiseman
Frequently Asked Questions About Speranza varadaria - Hodges#6314
What is Speranza varadaria - Hodges#6314?
Speranza varadaria - Hodges#6314 (Macaria varadaria) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Speranza varadaria - Hodges#6314?
wing length in males is 9-12 mm and the females average slightly larger at 11-13 mm.
How do you identify Speranza varadaria - Hodges#6314?
forewing with the apex being slightly pointed and are yellow-brown to gray-brown; the bold postmedial band is nearly straight or slightly concave and has strong dark shading below that fades away to a lighter reddish-brown color towards the outer margin
Where is Speranza varadaria - Hodges#6314 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | mainly a coastal species where the host plant thrives |
| Range | South Carolina south to Florida and west to the central Texas coast. |
What does Speranza varadaria - Hodges#6314 eat?
The diet of the Speranza varadaria - Hodges#6314 includes larval host plant is Baccharis halimifolia (groundseltree) usda.gov - host plant information.
When is Speranza varadaria - Hodges#6314 active?
Speranza varadaria - Hodges#6314: seasonal activity - adults fly year round in Florida, March to December in Texas and March to October in the remaining areas of the range.