Thallophaga taylorata - Hodges#6808
Thallophaga taylorata
This record describes Thallophaga taylorata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing light to medium brown or grayish-brown with dark speckling, pale veins, straight dark median line that fades before reaching costa, and pointed apex with slightly falcate outer margin; PM line with black dots at veins; slightly darker shading beyond PM line, blending into short apical dash Specimens identified by DNA analysis: Larva: body orange, brown, and tan with faint white subdorsal longitudinal lines; midabdominal intersegmental areas orange brown [description by Jeff Miller]
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Ennominae
- Tribe
- Lithinini
- Genus
- Thallophaga
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
wet western coniferous forests
Geographic Range
California to British Columbia
Seasonal Activity
adults fly in early spring larvae in May and June
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on fronds of ferns, particularly Western Swordfern ( Polystichum munitum )
Life History
overwinters as a pupa buried in soil; adults emerge in early spring; larvae present in May and June; one generation per year
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Thallophaga taylorata. 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 Thallophaga taylorata - Hodges#6808 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Thallophaga taylorata - Hodges#6808
What is Thallophaga taylorata - Hodges#6808?
Thallophaga taylorata - Hodges#6808 (Thallophaga taylorata) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Thallophaga taylorata - Hodges#6808?
wingspan 31-34 mm, based on photos of Internet specimens
How do you identify Thallophaga taylorata - Hodges#6808?
Adult: forewing light to medium brown or grayish-brown with dark speckling, pale veins, straight dark median line that fades before reaching costa, and pointed apex with slightly falcate outer margin; PM line with black dots at veins; slightly darker shading beyond PM line, blending into short apical dash Specimens identified by DNA analysis: Larva: body orange, brown, and tan with faint white subdorsal longitudinal lines; midabdominal intersegmental areas orange brown [description by Jeff Miller]
Where is Thallophaga taylorata - Hodges#6808 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | wet western coniferous forests |
| Range | California to British Columbia |
What does Thallophaga taylorata - Hodges#6808 eat?
The diet of the Thallophaga taylorata - Hodges#6808 includes larvae feed on fronds of ferns, particularly Western Swordfern ( Polystichum munitum ).
When is Thallophaga taylorata - Hodges#6808 active?
Thallophaga taylorata - Hodges#6808: seasonal activity - adults fly in early spring larvae in May and June.
What is the life cycle of a Thallophaga taylorata - Hodges#6808?
overwinters as a pupa buried in soil; adults emerge in early spring; larvae present in May and June; one generation per year