Perizoma custodiata - Hodges#7328
Perizoma custodiata
This record describes Perizoma custodiata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing with alternating light and dark brown vertical bands (number and color/intensity of bands varies considerably among individuals); PM line bulges slightly near middle and again near costa; subterminal line, white, distinctly scalloped; hindwing paler, muted gray or yellowish with faint PM, ST, and terminal lines Larva: body uniformly light green or brown
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Larentiinae
- Tribe
- Hydriomenini
- Genus
- Perizoma
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
marshy areas where larval foodplant grows
Geographic Range
California and Arizona to Saskatchewan and British Columbia
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from March to November in the south (California); May to September in the north (Alberta)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on Alkali Seaheath ( Frankenia salina ) in coastal California, and probably other species of Frankenia farther north and/or inland
Life History
presumably overwinters as a pupa
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Perizoma custodiata. 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 Perizoma custodiata - Hodges#7328 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Perizoma custodiata - Hodges#7328
What is Perizoma custodiata - Hodges#7328?
Perizoma custodiata - Hodges#7328 (Perizoma custodiata) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Perizoma custodiata - Hodges#7328?
wingspan 22-29 mm larva length to 30 mm
How do you identify Perizoma custodiata - Hodges#7328?
Adult: forewing with alternating light and dark brown vertical bands (number and color/intensity of bands varies considerably among individuals); PM line bulges slightly near middle and again near costa; subterminal line, white, distinctly scalloped; hindwing paler, muted gray or yellowish with faint PM, ST, and terminal lines Larva: body uniformly light green or brown
Where is Perizoma custodiata - Hodges#7328 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | marshy areas where larval foodplant grows |
| Range | California and Arizona to Saskatchewan and British Columbia |
What does Perizoma custodiata - Hodges#7328 eat?
The diet of the Perizoma custodiata - Hodges#7328 includes larvae feed on Alkali Seaheath ( Frankenia salina ) in coastal California, and probably other species of Frankenia farther north and/or inland.
When is Perizoma custodiata - Hodges#7328 active?
Perizoma custodiata - Hodges#7328: seasonal activity - adults fly from March to November in the south (California); May to September in the north (Alberta).
What is the life cycle of a Perizoma custodiata - Hodges#7328?
presumably overwinters as a pupa