Western White-Ribboned Carpet - Hodges#7308
Mesoleuca gratulata
This record describes Mesoleuca gratulata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
forewing with broad white medial band and broad black curving postmedial band; prominent black discal spot; basal area black Genitalia:
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Larentiinae
- Tribe
- Hydriomenini
- Genus
- Mesoleuca (White-Ribboned Carpets)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
woodlands and parks
Geographic Range
California to Colorado, north to southern BC and Alberta
Seasonal Activity
adults fly during the day mostly in early spring (February-April), with a few late stragglers until mid-June larvae present from early to late spring
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on leaves of Rubus species and hazel ( Corylus cornuta )
Life History
eggs are laid singly in early spring on leaves or buds of Blackberry ( Rubus discolor ) or Thimbleberry ( R. parviflora ); caterpillars hatch in about 10 days, pupate in about 3 weeks, and overwinter; adults emerge the following spring
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: GRATULATA: from the Latin "gratulatus" (to express joy or gratification at the sight of); the first yearly sighting of these pretty and conspicuous day-flying moths is gratifying because it is a sure sign of spring in the west
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Mesoleuca gratulata. 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 Western White-Ribboned Carpet - Hodges#7308 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Tony; Additional contributions by Robin McLeod , Maury Heiman , marcie oconnor , Robert H. Biagi , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Western White-Ribboned Carpet - Hodges#7308
What is Western White-Ribboned Carpet - Hodges#7308?
Western White-Ribboned Carpet - Hodges#7308 (Mesoleuca gratulata) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Western White-Ribboned Carpet - Hodges#7308?
wingspan 23-27 mm
How do you identify Western White-Ribboned Carpet - Hodges#7308?
forewing with broad white medial band and broad black curving postmedial band; prominent black discal spot; basal area black Genitalia:
Where is Western White-Ribboned Carpet - Hodges#7308 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | woodlands and parks |
| Range | California to Colorado, north to southern BC and Alberta |
What does Western White-Ribboned Carpet - Hodges#7308 eat?
The diet of the Western White-Ribboned Carpet - Hodges#7308 includes larvae feed on leaves of Rubus species and hazel ( Corylus cornuta ).
When is Western White-Ribboned Carpet - Hodges#7308 active?
Western White-Ribboned Carpet - Hodges#7308: seasonal activity - adults fly during the day mostly in early spring (February-April), with a few late stragglers until mid-June larvae present from early to late spring.
What is the life cycle of a Western White-Ribboned Carpet - Hodges#7308?
eggs are laid singly in early spring on leaves or buds of Blackberry ( Rubus discolor ) or Thimbleberry ( R. parviflora ); caterpillars hatch in about 10 days, pupate in about 3 weeks, and overwinter; adults emerge the following spring