LepidopteraGeometridae – Geometrid Moths

Pherne placeraria - Hodges#6949

Pherne placeraria

This record describes Pherne placeraria (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Pherne placeraria - Hodges#6949 - Pherne placeraria
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily
Geometroidea
Family
Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
Subfamily
Ennominae
Tribe
Ourapterygini
Genus
Pherne

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

California to Oregon. , Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.

Seasonal Activity

Adults are most common from April to October.

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Pherne placeraria. 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.

Explore Lepidoptera families and species →

Photos of Pherne placeraria - Hodges#6949 (2)

Pherne placeraria - Hodges#6949 - photo 1
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz
Pherne placeraria - Hodges#6949 - photo 2
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz

Frequently Asked Questions About Pherne placeraria - Hodges#6949

How big is Pherne placeraria - Hodges#6949?

Wingspan 32-35 mm.

Where is Pherne placeraria - Hodges#6949 found?

Range: California to Oregon. , Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.

When is Pherne placeraria - Hodges#6949 active?

Pherne placeraria - Hodges#6949: seasonal activity - Adults are most common from April to October..

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

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.