Barberry Geometer - Hodges#7290
Rheumaptera meadii
This record describes Rheumaptera meadii (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult has two forms: typical form is all dark brown like Tissue Moth ( Triphosa haesitata ); form badiaria has orangish-brown AM and ST bands; both forms have a sharper forewing apex than Tissue Moth, and a more jagged PM line with an especially prominent tooth near the costa; forewing has black discal spot just distad of AM line near costa; hindwing pale grayish-brown with variably distinct lines and toothed/wavy margin
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Larentiinae
- Tribe
- Hydriomenini
- Genus
- Rheumaptera
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
all of United States and southern Canada
Seasonal Activity
adults fly April-October; several broods
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on barberry ( Berberis spp.). This is an introduced shrub in most of eastern North America. The native American Barberry ( Berberis canadensis ) is rare in the southeastern states.
Life History
several generations per year in the south; fewer in the north Egg; larva; adult
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Rheumaptera meadii. 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 Barberry Geometer - Hodges#7290 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by Robin McLeod , Tony-2 , Jason D. Roberts , Maury Heiman , marcie oconnor , Blocky , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Barberry Geometer - Hodges#7290
What is Barberry Geometer - Hodges#7290?
Barberry Geometer - Hodges#7290 (Rheumaptera meadii) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Barberry Geometer - Hodges#7290?
Wingspan 30-36 mm
How do you identify Barberry Geometer - Hodges#7290?
Adult has two forms: typical form is all dark brown like Tissue Moth ( Triphosa haesitata ); form badiaria has orangish-brown AM and ST bands; both forms have a sharper forewing apex than Tissue Moth, and a more jagged PM line with an especially prominent tooth near the costa; forewing has black discal spot just distad of AM line near costa; hindwing pale grayish-brown with variably distinct lines and toothed/wavy margin
Where is Barberry Geometer - Hodges#7290 found?
Range: all of United States and southern Canada
What does Barberry Geometer - Hodges#7290 eat?
The diet of the Barberry Geometer - Hodges#7290 includes Larvae feed on barberry ( Berberis spp.). This is an introduced shrub in most of eastern North America. The native American Barberry ( Berberis canadensis ) is rare in the southeastern states..
When is Barberry Geometer - Hodges#7290 active?
Barberry Geometer - Hodges#7290: seasonal activity - adults fly April-October; several broods.
What is the life cycle of a Barberry Geometer - Hodges#7290?
several generations per year in the south; fewer in the north Egg; larva; adult