Tetracis formosa - Hodges#6958
Tetracis formosa
This record describes Tetracis formosa (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
It is possible that the California arid region populations represent a sibling species of T. formosa
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Ennominae
- Tribe
- Ourapterygini
- Genus
- Tetracis (Slant-Lines)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Habitats range from desert riparian canyons (Colorado, Utah) to dry coniferous forest (Wyoming)
Geographic Range
Colorado, eastern Utah, and eastern Wyoming west to Caifornia and north to southern British Columbia and southern Alberta from 2850–7600’ (870–2320m).
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly from early September to late November
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Incompletely known. Prunus andersonii (Desert Peach)
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Tetracis formosa. 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 Tetracis formosa - Hodges#6958 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Tetracis formosa - Hodges#6958
What is Tetracis formosa - Hodges#6958?
Tetracis formosa - Hodges#6958 (Tetracis formosa) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Tetracis formosa - Hodges#6958?
forewing length 17–23 mm
Where is Tetracis formosa - Hodges#6958 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Habitats range from desert riparian canyons (Colorado, Utah) to dry coniferous forest (Wyoming) |
| Range | Colorado, eastern Utah, and eastern Wyoming west to Caifornia and north to southern British Columbia and southern Alberta from 2850–7600’ (870–2320m). |
What does Tetracis formosa - Hodges#6958 eat?
The diet of the Tetracis formosa - Hodges#6958 includes Incompletely known. Prunus andersonii (Desert Peach).
When is Tetracis formosa - Hodges#6958 active?
Tetracis formosa - Hodges#6958: seasonal activity - Adults fly from early September to late November.