Somatolophia haydenata - Hodges#6947
Somatolophia haydenata
This record describes Somatolophia haydenata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Head, thorax, and abdomen similar to those of pallescens ; antennae with from 49 to 51 segments, terminal 12 to 14 simple, longest pectinations 1.5 to 1.6mm. in length . Genitalia:
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Ennominae
- Tribe
- Ourapterygini
- Genus
- Somatolophia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Colorado, New Mexico, and western Texas . MPG also includes records from Arizona .
Seasonal Activity
March to October. "Specimens have been collected in western Texas from March into May, and again in September and October. In New Mexico and Colorado, most moths were taken from late June into August" .
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Dyar (1903b) reared larvae from Prunus (Rosaceae) and Polygonum (Polygonaceae). However, because no adults emerged and the parent female was not preserved, this cannot be confirmed .
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Somatolophia haydenata. 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 Somatolophia haydenata - Hodges#6947 (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Kyhl Austin; Additional contributions by Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Somatolophia haydenata - Hodges#6947
What is Somatolophia haydenata - Hodges#6947?
Somatolophia haydenata - Hodges#6947 (Somatolophia haydenata) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Somatolophia haydenata - Hodges#6947?
Forewing length: 16-22 mm .
How do you identify Somatolophia haydenata - Hodges#6947?
Head, thorax, and abdomen similar to those of pallescens ; antennae with from 49 to 51 segments, terminal 12 to 14 simple, longest pectinations 1.5 to 1.6mm. in length . Genitalia:
Where is Somatolophia haydenata - Hodges#6947 found?
Range: Colorado, New Mexico, and western Texas . MPG also includes records from Arizona .
What does Somatolophia haydenata - Hodges#6947 eat?
The diet of the Somatolophia haydenata - Hodges#6947 includes Dyar (1903b) reared larvae from Prunus (Rosaceae) and Polygonum (Polygonaceae). However, because no adults emerged and the parent female was not preserved, this cannot be confirmed ..
When is Somatolophia haydenata - Hodges#6947 active?
Somatolophia haydenata - Hodges#6947: seasonal activity - March to October. Specimens have been collected in western Texas from March into May, and again in September and October. In New Mexico and Colorado, most moths were taken from late June into August ..