Single-lined Emerald - Hodges#7018
Nemoria unitaria
This record describes Nemoria unitaria (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: the largest emerald, its distinguishing feature is on the hindwing, where the AM and PM lines join to form a single U-shaped loop; however, in many northern specimens, the line may be so weak that a loop is not distinguishable, leaving a single curved line - as in this photo from Canada; the forewing may also have only a single visible line
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
mixed and deciduous woodlands; adults are nocturnal and come to light
Geographic Range
western North America: Manitoba to British Columbia, south to California and New Mexico
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from June to August
Diet and Behavior
Diet: unknown, but larvae have been reared to maturity on gooseberry ( Ribes sp.)
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Nemoria unitaria. 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 Single-lined Emerald - Hodges#7018 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Single-lined Emerald - Hodges#7018
What is Single-lined Emerald - Hodges#7018?
Single-lined Emerald - Hodges#7018 (Nemoria unitaria) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Single-lined Emerald - Hodges#7018?
wingspan 25-34 mm, based on several Internet photos
How do you identify Single-lined Emerald - Hodges#7018?
Adult: the largest emerald, its distinguishing feature is on the hindwing, where the AM and PM lines join to form a single U-shaped loop; however, in many northern specimens, the line may be so weak that a loop is not distinguishable, leaving a single curved line - as in this photo from Canada; the forewing may also have only a single visible line
Where is Single-lined Emerald - Hodges#7018 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | mixed and deciduous woodlands; adults are nocturnal and come to light |
| Range | western North America: Manitoba to British Columbia, south to California and New Mexico |
What does Single-lined Emerald - Hodges#7018 eat?
The diet of the Single-lined Emerald - Hodges#7018 includes unknown, but larvae have been reared to maturity on gooseberry ( Ribes sp.).
When is Single-lined Emerald - Hodges#7018 active?
Single-lined Emerald - Hodges#7018: seasonal activity - adults fly from June to August.