Tetracis montanaria - Hodges#6954.1
Tetracis montanaria
This record describes Tetracis montanaria (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional details | Base color generally ochreous orange-brown. |
| Forewing | Forewing apex weakly falcate. AM and PM lines brown; PM line narrow, flattened S-shape, with very narrow pale outer edge, bending sharply basad at vein M3; median band slightly darker then rest of wing. |
| Hindwing | Hindwing with poorly-developed median line that fades out toward upper margin. Dark discal spots on forewing and hindwing. |
| Antennae | Antennae nearly filiform in both sexes . Geography alone separates this species, since no other Tetracis species are known from the mountains of SE Arizona . |
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
Aspen-coniferous forest
Geographic Range
Southeastern Arizona, Graham Co., Mt. Graham and Pima Co., Santa Catalina Mts. from 8000–8900’ (2440–2715m); ?Apache Co., White Mts.
Seasonal Activity
Adults in early October (and possibly late September) .
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Unknown
Life History
Unknown
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: "Adjective, 'of the mountains.'"
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Tetracis montanaria. 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 montanaria - Hodges#6954.1 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Kyhl Austin
Frequently Asked Questions About Tetracis montanaria - Hodges#6954.1
What is Tetracis montanaria - Hodges#6954.1?
Tetracis montanaria - Hodges#6954.1 (Tetracis montanaria) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Tetracis montanaria - Hodges#6954.1?
Forewing length: 22–25 mm .
How do you identify Tetracis montanaria - Hodges#6954.1?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional details | Base color generally ochreous orange-brown. |
| Forewing | Forewing apex weakly falcate. AM and PM lines brown; PM line narrow, flattened S-shape, with very narrow pale outer edge, bending sharply basad at vein M3; median band slightly darker then rest of wing. |
| Hindwing | Hindwing with poorly-developed median line that fades out toward upper margin. Dark discal spots on forewing and hindwing. |
| Antennae | Antennae nearly filiform in both sexes . |
Where is Tetracis montanaria - Hodges#6954.1 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Aspen-coniferous forest |
| Range | Southeastern Arizona, Graham Co., Mt. Graham and Pima Co., Santa Catalina Mts. from 8000–8900’ (2440–2715m); ?Apache Co., White Mts. |
What does Tetracis montanaria - Hodges#6954.1 eat?
The diet of the Tetracis montanaria - Hodges#6954.1 includes Unknown.
When is Tetracis montanaria - Hodges#6954.1 active?
Tetracis montanaria - Hodges#6954.1: seasonal activity - Adults in early October (and possibly late September) ..
What is the life cycle of a Tetracis montanaria - Hodges#6954.1?
Unknown