October Thorn - Hodges#6954
Tetracis jubararia
This record describes Tetracis jubararia (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult - Base color generally tan and dark brown-tan (males) and orange-tan (females). FW apex falcate. AM and PM lines brown; PM line narrow, sinuate, sometimes with very narrowpale outer edge, bending basad at vein M3; MB colored as rest of wing, often with a diffuse darker central patch; submarginal area dark diffuse banding frequently present. Additional patchy markings may be present producing a dead-leaf aspect. DHW with poorly-developed median line that fades out toward upper margin. Dark discal spots on FW and HW. Ventrally paler with dorsal markings repeated; wing surfaces with widelyscattered dark scales suggesting a dead-leaf pattern. Larva - a twig mimic; body marbled grayish-brown or yellowish-brown with large dorsal hump on first thoracic segment
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
Western coniferous, mixed, and deciduous forests and woodlands
Geographic Range
Southern California to British Columbia to central Saskatchewan, southwestern Idaho, and White Pine Co., Nevada at elevations from 490–7400’ (150–2255m).
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly from mid-August to late November, depending upon locality and elevation
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval hosts include Alnus, Betula, Cornus, Populus, Ribes .
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Tetracis jubararia. 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 October Thorn - Hodges#6954 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About October Thorn - Hodges#6954
What is October Thorn - Hodges#6954?
October Thorn - Hodges#6954 (Tetracis jubararia) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is October Thorn - Hodges#6954?
Forewing length 17–26 mm.
How do you identify October Thorn - Hodges#6954?
Adult - Base color generally tan and dark brown-tan (males) and orange-tan (females). FW apex falcate. AM and PM lines brown; PM line narrow, sinuate, sometimes with very narrowpale outer edge, bending basad at vein M3; MB colored as rest of wing, often with a diffuse darker central patch; submarginal area dark diffuse banding frequently present. Additional patchy markings may be present producing a dead-leaf aspect. DHW with poorly-developed median line that fades out toward upper margin. Dark discal spots on FW and HW. Ventrally paler with dorsal markings repeated; wing surfaces with widelyscattered dark scales suggesting a dead-leaf pattern. Larva - a twig mimic; body marbled grayish-brown or yellowish-brown with large dorsal hump on first thoracic segment
Where is October Thorn - Hodges#6954 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Western coniferous, mixed, and deciduous forests and woodlands |
| Range | Southern California to British Columbia to central Saskatchewan, southwestern Idaho, and White Pine Co., Nevada at elevations from 490–7400’ (150–2255m). |
What does October Thorn - Hodges#6954 eat?
The diet of the October Thorn - Hodges#6954 includes Larval hosts include Alnus, Betula, Cornus, Populus, Ribes ..
When is October Thorn - Hodges#6954 active?
October Thorn - Hodges#6954: seasonal activity - Adults fly from mid-August to late November, depending upon locality and elevation.