Philtraea monillata - Hodges#6851
Philtraea monillata
This record describes Philtraea monillata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing white with broad yellow AM and PM lines, bordered by dark spots on both sides; O-shaped marking along costa similar color to AM and PM lines, and equidistant between them; terminal line composed of dark dots; fringe white; hindwing white; top of head with yellow scales; antennae bipectinate in both sexes but pectinations longer in male.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Ennominae
- Tribe
- Ourapterygini
- Genus
- Philtraea
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
southern United States in drainage basin of Mississippi River from Missouri and Kentucky south to Louisiana
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from early June to late August (2 broods)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae are thought to feed on privet ( Ligustrum spp.)
Life History
two generations per year
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Philtraea monillata. 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 Philtraea monillata - Hodges#6851 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Philtraea monillata - Hodges#6851
What is Philtraea monillata - Hodges#6851?
Philtraea monillata - Hodges#6851 (Philtraea monillata) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Philtraea monillata - Hodges#6851?
wingspan 10-16 mm; second-generation adults are much smaller than first-generation
How do you identify Philtraea monillata - Hodges#6851?
Adult: forewing white with broad yellow AM and PM lines, bordered by dark spots on both sides; O-shaped marking along costa similar color to AM and PM lines, and equidistant between them; terminal line composed of dark dots; fringe white; hindwing white; top of head with yellow scales; antennae bipectinate in both sexes but pectinations longer in male.
Where is Philtraea monillata - Hodges#6851 found?
Range: southern United States in drainage basin of Mississippi River from Missouri and Kentucky south to Louisiana
What does Philtraea monillata - Hodges#6851 eat?
The diet of the Philtraea monillata - Hodges#6851 includes larvae are thought to feed on privet ( Ligustrum spp.).
When is Philtraea monillata - Hodges#6851 active?
Philtraea monillata - Hodges#6851: seasonal activity - adults fly from early June to late August (2 broods).
What is the life cycle of a Philtraea monillata - Hodges#6851?
two generations per year