Baggett's Spanworm Moth - Hodges#7010.1
Nematocampa baggettaria
This record describes Nematocampa baggettaria (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Nematocampa baggettaria does not have the swollen, clavate, hindtibial spur present in the two other species. The females have purplish-brown shading in most of the outer third of the forewing. Wagner describes the larva and provides a photo. (preview page in Internet References) Determined by James K. Adams, Dept. of Natural Science, Dalton State College, Dalton, GA
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Ennominae
- Tribe
- Cassymini
- Genus
- Nematocampa (Filament Bearers)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
North Carolina to Florida to Louisiana. (one record from North Carolina)
Seasonal Activity
Ferguson reported adults collected from April to September.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Ferguson reported the immature stages and host plant as unknown. Wagner reported a long list of larval host plants. Many hardwoods, softwoods and shrubs. (preview page in Internet References)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: "This species is named for H.D. (Dave) Baggett of Palatka, Florida, who first brought it to my attention and who collected about half of the specimens seen" (Ferguson , 1993)
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Nematocampa baggettaria. 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 Baggett's Spanworm Moth - Hodges#7010.1 (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Baggett's Spanworm Moth - Hodges#7010.1
What is Baggett's Spanworm Moth - Hodges#7010.1?
Baggett's Spanworm Moth - Hodges#7010.1 (Nematocampa baggettaria) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Baggett's Spanworm Moth - Hodges#7010.1?
Ferguson reported the forewing length. ♂ 7-8 mm. ♀ 7-9 mm. The smallest of the three North American species.
How do you identify Baggett's Spanworm Moth - Hodges#7010.1?
Nematocampa baggettaria does not have the swollen, clavate, hindtibial spur present in the two other species. The females have purplish-brown shading in most of the outer third of the forewing. Wagner describes the larva and provides a photo. (preview page in Internet References) Determined by James K. Adams, Dept. of Natural Science, Dalton State College, Dalton, GA
Where is Baggett's Spanworm Moth - Hodges#7010.1 found?
Range: North Carolina to Florida to Louisiana. (one record from North Carolina)
What does Baggett's Spanworm Moth - Hodges#7010.1 eat?
The diet of the Baggett's Spanworm Moth - Hodges#7010.1 includes Ferguson reported the immature stages and host plant as unknown. Wagner reported a long list of larval host plants. Many hardwoods, softwoods and shrubs. (preview page in Internet References).
When is Baggett's Spanworm Moth - Hodges#7010.1 active?
Baggett's Spanworm Moth - Hodges#7010.1: seasonal activity - Ferguson reported adults collected from April to September..