Pterotaea lamiaria - Hodges#6553
Pterotaea lamiaria
This record describes Pterotaea lamiaria (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The species can usually be recognized by the brownish wings with a brown shaded band along the postmedial and antemedial lines. The AM line is absent from the costa to the middle of the wing. The Rindge revised description is available in PDF. The subspecies that Rindge described was smaller, had less bold maculation, and was restricted to a small area east of the Sierra Nevada Range (Inyo County).
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Ennominae
- Tribe
- Boarmiini
- Genus
- Pterotaea
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
The species is mainly associated with the coastal regions.
Geographic Range
California and northern Baja California.
Seasonal Activity
The flight period is March to September.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The larvae feed on the flowers of Adenostoma fasciculatum Hook. & Arn. (chamise). ,
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Pterotaea lamiaria. 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 Pterotaea lamiaria - Hodges#6553 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Pterotaea lamiaria - Hodges#6553
What is Pterotaea lamiaria - Hodges#6553?
Pterotaea lamiaria - Hodges#6553 (Pterotaea lamiaria) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Pterotaea lamiaria - Hodges#6553?
Powell & Opler listed the forewing length as 14-16 mm. Rindge listed the forewing length as: ♂ 13-18 mm. ♀ 13-18 mm.
How do you identify Pterotaea lamiaria - Hodges#6553?
The species can usually be recognized by the brownish wings with a brown shaded band along the postmedial and antemedial lines. The AM line is absent from the costa to the middle of the wing. The Rindge revised description is available in PDF. The subspecies that Rindge described was smaller, had less bold maculation, and was restricted to a small area east of the Sierra Nevada Range (Inyo County).
Where is Pterotaea lamiaria - Hodges#6553 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | The species is mainly associated with the coastal regions. |
| Range | California and northern Baja California. |
What does Pterotaea lamiaria - Hodges#6553 eat?
The diet of the Pterotaea lamiaria - Hodges#6553 includes The larvae feed on the flowers of Adenostoma fasciculatum Hook. & Arn. (chamise). ,.
When is Pterotaea lamiaria - Hodges#6553 active?
Pterotaea lamiaria - Hodges#6553: seasonal activity - The flight period is March to September..