Walnut Spanworm Moth - Hodges#6661
Phigalia plumogeraria
This record describes Phigalia plumogeraria (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: female wingless, cannot fly; male antennae bipectinate; forewing gray with fine speckling and three inconspicuous dark gray lines; hindwing light brownish-gray with faint discal spot and two indistinct lines Larva: gray twig mimic with small dorsal spine on abdominal segments 1-3 and 8
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Ennominae
- Tribe
- Bistonini
- Genus
- Phigalia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
British Columbia to California, east to Utah and Wyoming
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from January to April
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on leaves of Antelope Bitterbrush ( Purshia tridentata ), walnut, and willow
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Phigalia plumogeraria. 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 Walnut Spanworm Moth - Hodges#6661 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Walnut Spanworm Moth - Hodges#6661
What is Walnut Spanworm Moth - Hodges#6661?
Walnut Spanworm Moth - Hodges#6661 (Phigalia plumogeraria) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Walnut Spanworm Moth - Hodges#6661?
wingspan 32-45 mm, based on two Internet photos
How do you identify Walnut Spanworm Moth - Hodges#6661?
Adult: female wingless, cannot fly; male antennae bipectinate; forewing gray with fine speckling and three inconspicuous dark gray lines; hindwing light brownish-gray with faint discal spot and two indistinct lines Larva: gray twig mimic with small dorsal spine on abdominal segments 1-3 and 8
Where is Walnut Spanworm Moth - Hodges#6661 found?
Range: British Columbia to California, east to Utah and Wyoming
What does Walnut Spanworm Moth - Hodges#6661 eat?
The diet of the Walnut Spanworm Moth - Hodges#6661 includes larvae feed on leaves of Antelope Bitterbrush ( Purshia tridentata ), walnut, and willow.
When is Walnut Spanworm Moth - Hodges#6661 active?
Walnut Spanworm Moth - Hodges#6661: seasonal activity - adults fly from January to April.