Contracted Spanworm - Hodges#7218
Thera contractata
This record describes Thera contractata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing ground color white, densely speckled with brownish-gray; basal line black, wavy; AM and PM lines enclose darker median area which is wide at costa but narrow and constricted at inner margin; subterminal line white, zigzagged or toothed, with dark shading along proximal edge; terminal line black, almost straight, interrupted by white dots along its length; fringe checkered dark and light; hindwing pale brownish-gray with small discal dot, dark terminal line, and pale checkered fringe There appears to be confusion or disagreement over the western distribution of this species. All-Leps shows 10 collection sites in central British Columbia, and a government of BC PDF doc indicates its presence in the province, but CBIF's Moths of Canada gives Manitoba as the western limit of T. contractata , and the only Thera species listed in British Columbia is T. otisi .
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Larentiinae
- Tribe
- Hydriomenini
- Genus
- Thera
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
sand dunes, rock outcrops and barrens containing foodplant
Geographic Range
Newfoundland to Manitoba, and adjacent northern states (but see Remarks section below)
Seasonal Activity
adults fly in August and September in Quebec larvae in July and August
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on foliage of Common Juniper ( Juniperus communis ) and rarely, Paper Birch ( Betula papyrifera ) [Handfield, 1999]
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Thera contractata. 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 Contracted Spanworm - Hodges#7218 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by marcie oconnor , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Contracted Spanworm - Hodges#7218
What is Contracted Spanworm - Hodges#7218?
Contracted Spanworm - Hodges#7218 (Thera contractata) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Contracted Spanworm - Hodges#7218?
wingspan 23-25 mm, based on two Internet photos
How do you identify Contracted Spanworm - Hodges#7218?
Adult: forewing ground color white, densely speckled with brownish-gray; basal line black, wavy; AM and PM lines enclose darker median area which is wide at costa but narrow and constricted at inner margin; subterminal line white, zigzagged or toothed, with dark shading along proximal edge; terminal line black, almost straight, interrupted by white dots along its length; fringe checkered dark and light; hindwing pale brownish-gray with small discal dot, dark terminal line, and pale checkered fringe
Where is Contracted Spanworm - Hodges#7218 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | sand dunes, rock outcrops and barrens containing foodplant |
| Range | Newfoundland to Manitoba, and adjacent northern states (but see Remarks section below) |
What does Contracted Spanworm - Hodges#7218 eat?
The diet of the Contracted Spanworm - Hodges#7218 includes larvae feed on foliage of Common Juniper ( Juniperus communis ) and rarely, Paper Birch ( Betula papyrifera ) [Handfield, 1999].
When is Contracted Spanworm - Hodges#7218 active?
Contracted Spanworm - Hodges#7218: seasonal activity - adults fly in August and September in Quebec larvae in July and August.