Prorella desperata - Hodges#7619
Prorella desperata
This record describes Prorella desperata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Original description is online as Gymnocelis desperata (Hulst).
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Larentiinae
- Tribe
- Eupitheciini
- Genus
- Prorella
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Arizona to Texas. Holotype from Blanco County, Texas. Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
Seasonal Activity
The main flight period appears to be August to September. ,
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Unknown.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Prorella desperata. 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 Prorella desperata - Hodges#7619 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Prorella desperata - Hodges#7619
What is Prorella desperata - Hodges#7619?
Prorella desperata - Hodges#7619 (Prorella desperata) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Prorella desperata - Hodges#7619?
Wingspan 17-19 mm.
How do you identify Prorella desperata - Hodges#7619?
Original description is online as Gymnocelis desperata (Hulst).
Where is Prorella desperata - Hodges#7619 found?
Range: Arizona to Texas. Holotype from Blanco County, Texas. Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
What does Prorella desperata - Hodges#7619 eat?
The diet of the Prorella desperata - Hodges#7619 includes Unknown..
When is Prorella desperata - Hodges#7619 active?
Prorella desperata - Hodges#7619: seasonal activity - The main flight period appears to be August to September. ,.