Virgin Moth - Hodges#6270
Protitame virginalis
This record describes Protitame virginalis (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Specimen identified by DNA analysis: Genitalia:
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Ennominae
- Tribe
- Cassymini
- Genus
- Protitame
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Mesic deciduous and mixedwood forests.
Geographic Range
Nova Scotia to Virgina, west to Mississippi and Lousiana.
Seasonal Activity
Late April - August. In Canada the peak adult flight occurs throughout June.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Quaking Aspen and Bigtooth Aspen - can also feed on poplars and willows.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Protitame virginalis. 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 Virgin Moth - Hodges#6270 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Tony DiTerlizzi; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , Maury Heiman , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Virgin Moth - Hodges#6270
What is Virgin Moth - Hodges#6270?
Virgin Moth - Hodges#6270 (Protitame virginalis) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Virgin Moth - Hodges#6270?
Ferguson reported the forewing length. Canadian specimens ♂ 9-13 mm. ♀ 10-12 mm. Rocky Mountain specimens ♂ 12-15 mm. ♀ 12-14 mm.
How do you identify Virgin Moth - Hodges#6270?
Specimen identified by DNA analysis: Genitalia:
Where is Virgin Moth - Hodges#6270 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Mesic deciduous and mixedwood forests. |
| Range | Nova Scotia to Virgina, west to Mississippi and Lousiana. |
What does Virgin Moth - Hodges#6270 eat?
The diet of the Virgin Moth - Hodges#6270 includes Quaking Aspen and Bigtooth Aspen - can also feed on poplars and willows..
When is Virgin Moth - Hodges#6270 active?
Virgin Moth - Hodges#6270: seasonal activity - Late April - August. In Canada the peak adult flight occurs throughout June..