Nemoria arizonaria - Hodges#7021
Nemoria arizonaria
This record describes Nemoria arizonaria (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
There are two forms described. Winter-early spring form has a dark costa Late spring-summer form females have the first five dorsal abdominal segments shaded reddish. The pale yellowish costa is as wide as the fringe of the same color. Wings striated with white. Grote original description as Aplodes arizonaria is avaiable online. 125 .
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Geometrinae
- Tribe
- Nemoriini
- Genus
- Nemoria
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Canyons between 4,000-8,000'.
Geographic Range
Arizona to western Texas (Davis Mountains). ,
Seasonal Activity
Powell & Opler (2009) reported two flight periods of mid-February to mid-May and mid-June to mid-August. ( 4 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Ferguson reported McFarland reared the species on Quercus L. (oak). Larvae of the spring generation feed on oak catkins and develop into highly cryptic mimics of catkins.
Life History
These moths differ in appearance and behavior between generations. Larvae of the spring generation feed on oak catkins and develop into highly cryptic mimics of catkins, showing a yellow rugose integument with reddish-brown stamen-like dots. Summer broods feed on oak leaves and have a greenish-grey, less rugose integument. ( 5 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Nemoria arizonaria. 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 Nemoria arizonaria - Hodges#7021 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , metrioptera , Marci Hess
Frequently Asked Questions About Nemoria arizonaria - Hodges#7021
What is Nemoria arizonaria - Hodges#7021?
Nemoria arizonaria - Hodges#7021 (Nemoria arizonaria) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Nemoria arizonaria - Hodges#7021?
Ferguson listed the forewing length. ♂ 11-13 mm. ♀ 12.5-15 mm.
How do you identify Nemoria arizonaria - Hodges#7021?
There are two forms described. Winter-early spring form has a dark costa Late spring-summer form females have the first five dorsal abdominal segments shaded reddish. The pale yellowish costa is as wide as the fringe of the same color. Wings striated with white. Grote original description as Aplodes arizonaria is avaiable online. 125 .
Where is Nemoria arizonaria - Hodges#7021 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Canyons between 4,000-8,000'. |
| Range | Arizona to western Texas (Davis Mountains). |
What does Nemoria arizonaria - Hodges#7021 eat?
The diet of the Nemoria arizonaria - Hodges#7021 includes Ferguson reported McFarland reared the species on Quercus L. (oak). Larvae of the spring generation feed on oak catkins and develop into highly cryptic mimics of catkins..
When is Nemoria arizonaria - Hodges#7021 active?
Nemoria arizonaria - Hodges#7021: seasonal activity - Powell & Opler (2009) reported two flight periods of mid-February to mid-May and mid-June to mid-August. ( 4 ).
What is the life cycle of a Nemoria arizonaria - Hodges#7021?
These moths differ in appearance and behavior between generations. Larvae of the spring generation feed on oak catkins and develop into highly cryptic mimics of catkins, showing a yellow rugose integument with reddish-brown stamen-like dots. Summer broods feed on oak leaves and have a greenish-grey, less rugose integument. ( 5 )