LepidopteraGeometridae – Geometrid Moths

Pale Alder Moth - Hodges#6807

Tacparia detersata

This record describes Tacparia detersata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Pale Alder Moth - Hodges#6807 - Tacparia detersata
Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , marcie oconnor , Fyn Kynd , Robert H. Biagi

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily
Geometroidea
Family
Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
Subfamily
Ennominae
Tribe
Lithinini
Genus
Tacparia

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

eastern

Diet and Behavior

Diet: Alder

Life History

Larva; adult

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Tacparia detersata. 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.

Explore Lepidoptera families and species →

Photos of Pale Alder Moth - Hodges#6807 (5)

Pale Alder Moth - Hodges#6807 - photo 1
Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , marcie oconnor , Fyn Kynd , Robert H. Biagi
Pale Alder Moth - Hodges#6807 - photo 2
Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , marcie oconnor , Fyn Kynd , Robert H. Biagi
Pale Alder Moth - Hodges#6807 - photo 3
Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , marcie oconnor , Fyn Kynd , Robert H. Biagi
Pale Alder Moth - Hodges#6807 - photo 4
Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , marcie oconnor , Fyn Kynd , Robert H. Biagi
Pale Alder Moth - Hodges#6807 - photo 5
Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , marcie oconnor , Fyn Kynd , Robert H. Biagi

Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , marcie oconnor , Fyn Kynd , Robert H. Biagi

Frequently Asked Questions About Pale Alder Moth - Hodges#6807

Where is Pale Alder Moth - Hodges#6807 found?

Range: eastern

What does Pale Alder Moth - Hodges#6807 eat?

The diet of the Pale Alder Moth - Hodges#6807 includes Alder.

What is the life cycle of a Pale Alder Moth - Hodges#6807?

Larva; adult

How we use and review source data. Source count does not imply independent verification.

Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , marcie oconnor , Fyn Kynd , Robert H. Biagi. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.