Georgian Prominent - Hodges#7917
Paraeschra georgica
This record describes Paraeschra georgica (species). Recorded family: Notodontidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing variably yellowish-beige to greenish-gray to grayish-brown or a patchy diffuse combination of those colors; AM and PM lines jagged, black, lined with white on side away from median area; large dull yellowish basal patch usually present; short black streaks in subterminal area near costa and near anal angle; triangular tuft of black scales midway along inner margin projects upward when moth holds wings in resting tent position. hindwing white in male; gray in female Larva: body green or whitish-green with conspicuous yellow spiracular stripe often edged with red, and continuing onto head and mandibles; body below spiracular stripe bright green with elongate maroon spot on most segments; top of eighth abdominal segment with small orangish-red knob [larval description adapted from Caterpillars of Eastern Forests]
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Notodontidae (Prominent Moths)
- Subfamily
- Notodontinae
- Genus
- Paraeschra
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Deciduous forests
Geographic Range
New Brunswick to Florida, west to eastern California, north to Manitoba (absent from Pacific northwest)
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from April to August in the south; May to July in north larvae present from June to October
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on leaves of oak ( Quercus spp.)
Life History
two generations per year in the south; one or two in the north Larva; adult
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Paraeschra georgica. 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 Georgian Prominent - Hodges#7917 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by Robin McLeod , Maury Heiman , marcie oconnor , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Georgian Prominent - Hodges#7917
What is Georgian Prominent - Hodges#7917?
Georgian Prominent - Hodges#7917 (Paraeschra georgica) is a species in the family Notodontidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Georgian Prominent - Hodges#7917?
Wingspan 34-47 mm
How do you identify Georgian Prominent - Hodges#7917?
Adult: forewing variably yellowish-beige to greenish-gray to grayish-brown or a patchy diffuse combination of those colors; AM and PM lines jagged, black, lined with white on side away from median area; large dull yellowish basal patch usually present; short black streaks in subterminal area near costa and near anal angle; triangular tuft of black scales midway along inner margin projects upward when moth holds wings in resting tent position. hindwing white in male; gray in female Larva: body green or whitish-green with conspicuous yellow spiracular stripe often edged with red, and continuing onto head and mandibles; body below spiracular stripe bright green with elongate maroon spot on most segments; top of eighth abdominal segment with small orangish-red knob [larval description adapted from Caterpillars of Eastern Forests]
Where is Georgian Prominent - Hodges#7917 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Deciduous forests |
| Range | New Brunswick to Florida, west to eastern California, north to Manitoba (absent from Pacific northwest) |
What does Georgian Prominent - Hodges#7917 eat?
The diet of the Georgian Prominent - Hodges#7917 includes Larvae feed on leaves of oak ( Quercus spp.).
When is Georgian Prominent - Hodges#7917 active?
Georgian Prominent - Hodges#7917: seasonal activity - adults fly from April to August in the south; May to July in north larvae present from June to October.
What is the life cycle of a Georgian Prominent - Hodges#7917?
two generations per year in the south; one or two in the north Larva; adult