Phaeoura aetha - Hodges#6770
Phaeoura aetha
This record describes Phaeoura aetha (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
- Ennominae
- Tribe
- Nacophorini
- Genus
- Phaeoura
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
eastern side of Sierra Nevada Mountains and south into San Bernardino Mountains and adjacent desert areas immediately to the east
Geographic Range
western Great Basin areas of California and Nevada
Seasonal Activity
April - July
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Phaeoura aetha. 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 Phaeoura aetha - Hodges#6770 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Phaeoura aetha - Hodges#6770
How big is Phaeoura aetha - Hodges#6770?
male forewing 21-25 mm; female forewing 25-27 mm
Where is Phaeoura aetha - Hodges#6770 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | eastern side of Sierra Nevada Mountains and south into San Bernardino Mountains and adjacent desert areas immediately to the east |
| Range | western Great Basin areas of California and Nevada |
When is Phaeoura aetha - Hodges#6770 active?
Phaeoura aetha - Hodges#6770: seasonal activity - April - July.