Nemoria caerulescens - Hodges#7042
Nemoria caerulescens
This record describes Nemoria caerulescens (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
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
Mountains above 5000 feet.
Geographic Range
Patchy distribution through Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and western Texas. ,
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly March through October. ,
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Caerulescens is Latin meaning "becoming blue".
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Nemoria caerulescens. 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 caerulescens - Hodges#7042 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by John F. Carr; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Nemoria caerulescens - Hodges#7042
How big is Nemoria caerulescens - Hodges#7042?
Forewing length 11-13 mm.
Where is Nemoria caerulescens - Hodges#7042 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Mountains above 5000 feet. |
| Range | Patchy distribution through Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and western Texas. |
When is Nemoria caerulescens - Hodges#7042 active?
Nemoria caerulescens - Hodges#7042: seasonal activity - Adults fly March through October. ,.