Slossonia rubrotincta - Hodges#6816
Slossonia rubrotincta
This record describes Slossonia rubrotincta (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Hulst original description is online in the print references. Powell & Opler reported the adults always rest butterfly-style, with wings held high.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Ennominae
- Tribe
- Anagogini
- Genus
- Slossonia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Powell & Opler reported California, west of the Sierra Nevada crest.
Seasonal Activity
The main flight period appears to be May to August. ( 3 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Comstock & Dammers found the larva while beating coastal sage scrub oak ( Quercus dumosa ). McFarland reported the host as scrub oak ( Quercus berberidifolia ).
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Slossonia rubrotincta. 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 Slossonia rubrotincta - Hodges#6816 (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Paul Dennehy; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Slossonia rubrotincta - Hodges#6816
What is Slossonia rubrotincta - Hodges#6816?
Slossonia rubrotincta - Hodges#6816 (Slossonia rubrotincta) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Slossonia rubrotincta - Hodges#6816?
Hulst listed a wingspan of 30 mm. Powell & Opler listed the forewing length 12-13 mm. Comstock & Dammers reported the larva mature to 25 mm and pupa 10 mm.
How do you identify Slossonia rubrotincta - Hodges#6816?
Hulst original description is online in the print references.
Where is Slossonia rubrotincta - Hodges#6816 found?
Range: Powell & Opler reported California, west of the Sierra Nevada crest.
What does Slossonia rubrotincta - Hodges#6816 eat?
The diet of the Slossonia rubrotincta - Hodges#6816 includes Comstock & Dammers found the larva while beating coastal sage scrub oak ( Quercus dumosa ). McFarland reported the host as scrub oak ( Quercus berberidifolia )..
When is Slossonia rubrotincta - Hodges#6816 active?
Slossonia rubrotincta - Hodges#6816: seasonal activity - The main flight period appears to be May to August. ( 3 ).