Semaeopus gracilata - Hodges#7142
Semaeopus gracilata
This record describes Semaeopus gracilata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Semaeopus gracilata - Hodges#7142 (Semaeopus gracilata) is a species in the family Geometridae, commonly known as geometrid moths, belonging to the order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths). It is classified within the subfamily Sterrhinae, tribe Cosymbiini, superfamily Geometroidea. This species belongs to the genus Semaeopus. As a member of class Insecta, phylum Arthropoda, it is part of the kingdom Animalia. Size: Wingspan 23.5-25 mm.. Active during April-May and August-September. Early literature records are all from the first week in August (Grossbeck, 1912; Wright, 1920); the Gillette Museum has as an AZ specimen from February (SCAN)..
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Sterrhinae
- Tribe
- Cosymbiini
- Genus
- Semaeopus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Described from southern Arizona specimens collected from the Catalina and Baboquivari Mountains, Redington and Christmas (Grossbeck, 1912). Three specimens collected from Coyote Mountains, Pima County, Arizona. Bordelon & Knudson added Brewster Co., TX (LepSoc), and there is a recent record from Jeff Davis Co., TX (iNaturalist).
Seasonal Activity
April-May and August-September. Early literature records are all from the first week in August (Grossbeck, 1912; Wright, 1920); the Gillette Museum has as an AZ specimen from February (SCAN).
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet is Latin meaning "slim, lean, graceful."
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Semaeopus gracilata. 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 Semaeopus gracilata - Hodges#7142 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Randy Hardy; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Chuck Sexton
Frequently Asked Questions About Semaeopus gracilata - Hodges#7142
What is Semaeopus gracilata - Hodges#7142?
Semaeopus gracilata - Hodges#7142 (Semaeopus gracilata) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Semaeopus gracilata - Hodges#7142?
Wingspan 23.5-25 mm.
Where is Semaeopus gracilata - Hodges#7142 found?
Range: Described from southern Arizona specimens collected from the Catalina and Baboquivari Mountains, Redington and Christmas (Grossbeck, 1912). Three specimens collected from Coyote Mountains, Pima County, Arizona. Bordelon & Knudson added Brewster Co., TX (LepSoc), and there is a recent record from Jeff Davis Co., TX (iNaturalist).
When is Semaeopus gracilata - Hodges#7142 active?
Semaeopus gracilata - Hodges#7142: seasonal activity - April-May and August-September. Early literature records are all from the first week in August (Grossbeck, 1912; Wright, 1920); the Gillette Museum has as an AZ specimen from February (SCAN)..