Mericisca scobina - Hodges#6607
Mericisca scobina
This record describes Mericisca scobina (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Rindge (1972) described the adults including genitalia. ( 4 )
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Ennominae
- Tribe
- Boarmiini
- Genus
- Mericisca
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Elevation range of 5,000-8,000 feet. ( 4 )
Geographic Range
Rindge (1972) reported the range to include southeastern Arizona to New Mexico, north along the Front Range of Colorado. ( 4 )
Seasonal Activity
Rindge (1972) reported the adults were most common from June to August. He also noted there was one April record in the collection. ( 4 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Rindge (1972) did not mention a host plant.
Life History
Rindge (1972) reported Mericisca scobina is possibly double brooded with a confirmed April record. ( 4 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet scobina is taken from a characteristic of the male genitalia. Scobina is Latin for a carpenter's rasp. Rindge described the male as having a "scobinate vesica," meaning the vesica has a rough surface.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Mericisca scobina. 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 Mericisca scobina - Hodges#6607 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Mericisca scobina - Hodges#6607
What is Mericisca scobina - Hodges#6607?
Mericisca scobina - Hodges#6607 (Mericisca scobina) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Mericisca scobina - Hodges#6607?
Rindge (1972) reported the forewing length. ( 4 ) ♀ 19-22 mm. ♀ 17-21 mm.
How do you identify Mericisca scobina - Hodges#6607?
Rindge (1972) described the adults including genitalia. ( 4 )
Where is Mericisca scobina - Hodges#6607 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Elevation range of 5,000-8,000 feet. ( 4 ) |
| Range | Rindge (1972) reported the range to include southeastern Arizona to New Mexico, north along the Front Range of Colorado. ( 4 ) |
What does Mericisca scobina - Hodges#6607 eat?
The diet of the Mericisca scobina - Hodges#6607 includes Rindge (1972) did not mention a host plant..
When is Mericisca scobina - Hodges#6607 active?
Mericisca scobina - Hodges#6607: seasonal activity - Rindge (1972) reported the adults were most common from June to August. He also noted there was one April record in the collection. ( 4 ).
What is the life cycle of a Mericisca scobina - Hodges#6607?
Rindge (1972) reported Mericisca scobina is possibly double brooded with a confirmed April record. ( 4 )