Double-banded Carpet - Hodges#7312
Spargania magnoliata
This record describes Spargania magnoliata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
forewing gray with white AM and PM bands, and up to 10 scalloped dark gray lines variably shaded with black; discal spot large, black hindwing dirty white shaded with gray, usually with slight pink tint; terminal line black; finge white [adapted from description by Charles Covell] Specimens identified by DNA Analysis:
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Larentiinae
- Tribe
- Hydriomenini
- Genus
- Spargania
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
forest clearings, recently burned-over sites undergoing succession, meadows, roadsides
Geographic Range
wherever Fireweed grows: mostly northern United States (south in the Appalachians to the northern tip of Georgia, and south in the Rockies to California) plus Alaska and every province and territory of Canada except Prince Edward Island
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from May to September
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on Fireweed ( Epilobium angustifolium ), other willow-herbs ( Epilobium spp.) and evening-primrose ( Oenothera spp.)
Life History
two generations per year
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Spargania magnoliata. 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 Double-banded Carpet - Hodges#7312 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by anitagould , Maury Heiman , marcie oconnor , Robert H. Biagi , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Double-banded Carpet - Hodges#7312
What is Double-banded Carpet - Hodges#7312?
Double-banded Carpet - Hodges#7312 (Spargania magnoliata) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Double-banded Carpet - Hodges#7312?
wingspan 19-27 mm
How do you identify Double-banded Carpet - Hodges#7312?
forewing gray with white AM and PM bands, and up to 10 scalloped dark gray lines variably shaded with black; discal spot large, black hindwing dirty white shaded with gray, usually with slight pink tint; terminal line black; finge white [adapted from description by Charles Covell] Specimens identified by DNA Analysis:
Where is Double-banded Carpet - Hodges#7312 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | forest clearings, recently burned-over sites undergoing succession, meadows, roadsides |
| Range | wherever Fireweed grows: mostly northern United States (south in the Appalachians to the northern tip of Georgia, and south in the Rockies to California) plus Alaska and every province and territory of Canada except Prince Edward Island |
What does Double-banded Carpet - Hodges#7312 eat?
The diet of the Double-banded Carpet - Hodges#7312 includes larvae feed on Fireweed ( Epilobium angustifolium ), other willow-herbs ( Epilobium spp.) and evening-primrose ( Oenothera spp.).
When is Double-banded Carpet - Hodges#7312 active?
Double-banded Carpet - Hodges#7312: seasonal activity - adults fly from May to September.
What is the life cycle of a Double-banded Carpet - Hodges#7312?
two generations per year