LepidopteraGeometridae – Geometrid Moths

Phaeoura cana - Hodges#6771

Phaeoura cana

This record describes Phaeoura cana (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Phaeoura cana - Hodges#6771 - Phaeoura cana
Contributed by Steve Morris

Identification notes

dark brown ST area in male

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

Geographic Range

southern California

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Phaeoura cana. 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Phaeoura cana - Hodges#6771

How big is Phaeoura cana - Hodges#6771?

male forewing 23-24 mm

How do you identify Phaeoura cana - Hodges#6771?

dark brown ST area in male

Where is Phaeoura cana - Hodges#6771 found?

Range: southern California

How we use and review source data. Source count does not imply independent verification.

Photo credits: Contributed by Steve Morris. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.