Ruddy Metarranthis - Hodges#6822
Metarranthis duaria
This record describes Metarranthis duaria (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing angular, pointed, variably reddish to yellowish-gray with black speckling; AM and PM lines diffuse, blackish, and broken where they cross veins; PM line sinuate or bent, resembling a series of half-circles, often bordered proximally by diffuse reddish-brown shading; black discal spot prominent; large dark blotch often present in subterminal area; apical dash usually present; outer margin often slightly falcate near apex hindwing similarly colored, with somewhat irregular outer margin Larva: stout and mottled brown, reminiscent of a cutworm (Noctuidae) rather than the typical geometrid body-plan of mimicking twigs [text from U. of Alberta] Genitalia:
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Ennominae
- Tribe
- Anagogini
- Genus
- Metarranthis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
deciduous and mixed woods and shrublands larvae hide on the ground beneath leaf litter or in tree holes during the day, and feed at night
Geographic Range
Newfoundland to South Carolina, west to Mississippi, northwest to Washington and British Columbia
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from late April to early July; most common in May and June
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on leaves of alder, aspen, basswood, birch, blueberry, cherry, hawthorn, meadowsweet, mock-orange ( Philadelphus spp.), oceanspray ( Holodiscus spp.), rose, serviceberry, smartweed ( Polygonum spp.), willow
Life History
one generation per year
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Metarranthis duaria. 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 Ruddy Metarranthis - Hodges#6822 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , anitagould , marcie oconnor , KenW , Robert H. Biagi , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Ruddy Metarranthis - Hodges#6822
What is Ruddy Metarranthis - Hodges#6822?
Ruddy Metarranthis - Hodges#6822 (Metarranthis duaria) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Ruddy Metarranthis - Hodges#6822?
wingspan 35-40 mm
How do you identify Ruddy Metarranthis - Hodges#6822?
Adult: forewing angular, pointed, variably reddish to yellowish-gray with black speckling; AM and PM lines diffuse, blackish, and broken where they cross veins; PM line sinuate or bent, resembling a series of half-circles, often bordered proximally by diffuse reddish-brown shading; black discal spot prominent; large dark blotch often present in subterminal area; apical dash usually present; outer margin often slightly falcate near apex hindwing similarly colored, with somewhat irregular outer margin Larva: stout and mottled brown, reminiscent of a cutworm (Noctuidae) rather than the typical geometrid body-plan of mimicking twigs [text from U. of Alberta] Genitalia:
Where is Ruddy Metarranthis - Hodges#6822 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | deciduous and mixed woods and shrublands larvae hide on the ground beneath leaf litter or in tree holes during the day, and feed at night |
| Range | Newfoundland to South Carolina, west to Mississippi, northwest to Washington and British Columbia |
What does Ruddy Metarranthis - Hodges#6822 eat?
The diet of the Ruddy Metarranthis - Hodges#6822 includes larvae feed on leaves of alder, aspen, basswood, birch, blueberry, cherry, hawthorn, meadowsweet, mock-orange ( Philadelphus spp.), oceanspray ( Holodiscus spp.), rose, serviceberry, smartweed ( Polygonum spp.), willow.
When is Ruddy Metarranthis - Hodges#6822 active?
Ruddy Metarranthis - Hodges#6822: seasonal activity - adults fly from late April to early July; most common in May and June.
What is the life cycle of a Ruddy Metarranthis - Hodges#6822?
one generation per year