Kent's Geometer - Hodges#6818
Selenia kentaria
This record describes Selenia kentaria (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
adults mimic wilted leaves and hold wings over head at rest, while the larvae resemble twigs
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Ennominae
- Tribe
- Anagogini
- Genus
- Selenia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Deciduous forests, etc.
Geographic Range
According to the University of Alberta : "Central Alberta east to Nova Scotia, south to GA, AL, AR, MS (Wagner et al. 2001, McGuffin 1987). McGuffin (1987) reported it as far west as Saskatchewan."
Seasonal Activity
adults fly March to August
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on hardwood trees such as Prunus , Betula ; basswood, beech, elm, maple, oak, walnut
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Selenia kentaria. 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 Kent's Geometer - Hodges#6818 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by Mike Boone , Maury Heiman , marcie oconnor , KenW
Frequently Asked Questions About Kent's Geometer - Hodges#6818
What is Kent's Geometer - Hodges#6818?
Kent's Geometer - Hodges#6818 (Selenia kentaria) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Kent's Geometer - Hodges#6818?
Wingspan 3.2-5.2 cm.
How do you identify Kent's Geometer - Hodges#6818?
adults mimic wilted leaves and hold wings over head at rest, while the larvae resemble twigs
Where is Kent's Geometer - Hodges#6818 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Deciduous forests, etc. |
| Range | According to the University of Alberta : Central Alberta east to Nova Scotia, south to GA, AL, AR, MS (Wagner et al. 2001, McGuffin 1987). McGuffin (1987) reported it as far west as Saskatchewan. |
What does Kent's Geometer - Hodges#6818 eat?
The diet of the Kent's Geometer - Hodges#6818 includes larvae feed on hardwood trees such as Prunus , Betula ; basswood, beech, elm, maple, oak, walnut.
When is Kent's Geometer - Hodges#6818 active?
Kent's Geometer - Hodges#6818: seasonal activity - adults fly March to August.