Philtraea utahensis - Hodges#6846
Philtraea utahensis
This record describes Philtraea utahensis (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
- Ourapterygini
- Genus
- Philtraea
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Pinyon and juniper woodlands.
Geographic Range
Southeastern Nevada to southern Utah and western Colorado. , Listed as rare in Colorado, more common in southern Utah. A difficult group that can often be determined by range.
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly June to late July.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval host is unknown.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Philtraea utahensis. 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 utahensis - Hodges#6846 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Philtraea utahensis - Hodges#6846
How big is Philtraea utahensis - Hodges#6846?
forewing length 1.4-1.6 cm
Where is Philtraea utahensis - Hodges#6846 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Pinyon and juniper woodlands. |
| Range | Southeastern Nevada to southern Utah and western Colorado. , Listed as rare in Colorado, more common in southern Utah. A difficult group that can often be determined by range. |
What does Philtraea utahensis - Hodges#6846 eat?
The diet of the Philtraea utahensis - Hodges#6846 includes Larval host is unknown..
When is Philtraea utahensis - Hodges#6846 active?
Philtraea utahensis - Hodges#6846: seasonal activity - Adults fly June to late July..