Spurge Spanworm Moth - Hodges#6967
Oxydia vesulia
This record describes Oxydia vesulia (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
forewing shape and markings reminiscent of Eutrapela species (e.g. Curve-toothed Geometer); sharply defined black spot near leading edge of hindwing is distinctive (in North America) This species can be distinguished from the other member of this genus occurring in Florida by the combination of the well-defined t. p. line, the usually olivaceous coloring of the upper surface of the forewings, and by its larger size.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Ennominae
- Tribe
- Ourapterygini
- Genus
- Oxydia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
FL peninsula, plus strays to GA, TX, & CA / W. Indies - Map (MPG)
Seasonal Activity
yr round in FL (MPG)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on Citrus
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Oxydia vesulia (Cramer, 1779)
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Oxydia vesulia. 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 Spurge Spanworm Moth - Hodges#6967 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Jeff Hollenbeck , anitagould , Mike Quinn , Arturo Santos
Frequently Asked Questions About Spurge Spanworm Moth - Hodges#6967
What is Spurge Spanworm Moth - Hodges#6967?
Spurge Spanworm Moth - Hodges#6967 (Oxydia vesulia) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Spurge Spanworm Moth - Hodges#6967?
wingspan about 50 mm
How do you identify Spurge Spanworm Moth - Hodges#6967?
forewing shape and markings reminiscent of Eutrapela species (e.g. Curve-toothed Geometer); sharply defined black spot near leading edge of hindwing is distinctive (in North America) This species can be distinguished from the other member of this genus occurring in Florida by the combination of the well-defined t. p. line, the usually olivaceous coloring of the upper surface of the forewings, and by its larger size.
Where is Spurge Spanworm Moth - Hodges#6967 found?
Range: FL peninsula, plus strays to GA, TX, & CA / W. Indies - Map (MPG)
What does Spurge Spanworm Moth - Hodges#6967 eat?
The diet of the Spurge Spanworm Moth - Hodges#6967 includes larvae feed on Citrus.
When is Spurge Spanworm Moth - Hodges#6967 active?
Spurge Spanworm Moth - Hodges#6967: seasonal activity - yr round in FL (MPG).