Spodolepis substriataria - Hodges#6799
Spodolepis substriataria
This record describes Spodolepis substriataria (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing light gray with black speckling, often with shades of brown along costa and apex; jagged AM and PM lines resemble a dog's head in profile, with the dark discal spot forming the eye; extent of dark markings, including the transverse lines, can be extremely variable, resulting in well-marked, contrasting individuals to almost unmarked gray ones [adapted from description at U. of Alberta] Larva: body dark with intricate pattern of black and brown, resembling tree bark or a twig
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Ennominae
- Tribe
- Epirranthini
- Genus
- Spodolepis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
mixed and coniferous forests
Geographic Range
According to MPG range map, Minnesota to Maine and north into southern Canada.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on douglas-fir, pine, poplar, willow
Life History
one generation per year; overwinters as a pupa in thin cocoon in leaf litter
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Spodolepis substriataria. 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 Spodolepis substriataria - Hodges#6799 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , marcie oconnor , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Spodolepis substriataria - Hodges#6799
What is Spodolepis substriataria - Hodges#6799?
Spodolepis substriataria - Hodges#6799 (Spodolepis substriataria) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Spodolepis substriataria - Hodges#6799?
wingspan 40-45 mm
How do you identify Spodolepis substriataria - Hodges#6799?
Adult: forewing light gray with black speckling, often with shades of brown along costa and apex; jagged AM and PM lines resemble a dog's head in profile, with the dark discal spot forming the eye; extent of dark markings, including the transverse lines, can be extremely variable, resulting in well-marked, contrasting individuals to almost unmarked gray ones [adapted from description at U. of Alberta] Larva: body dark with intricate pattern of black and brown, resembling tree bark or a twig
Where is Spodolepis substriataria - Hodges#6799 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | mixed and coniferous forests |
| Range | According to MPG range map, Minnesota to Maine and north into southern Canada. |
What does Spodolepis substriataria - Hodges#6799 eat?
The diet of the Spodolepis substriataria - Hodges#6799 includes larvae feed on douglas-fir, pine, poplar, willow.
What is the life cycle of a Spodolepis substriataria - Hodges#6799?
one generation per year; overwinters as a pupa in thin cocoon in leaf litter