Tornos erectarius - Hodges#6484
Tornos erectarius
This record describes Tornos erectarius (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Ennominae
- Tribe
- Boarmiini
- Genus
- Tornos
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Powell & Opler reported the range as coastal southern California and discontinuously to southeastern Arizona. Type locality: Santa Catalina Mountains, Pinal County, Arizona.
Seasonal Activity
Powell & Opler stated the adults fly all months except January. * January record on Bug Guide.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Tornos erectarius. 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 Tornos erectarius - Hodges#6484 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy , JoAnneRusso
Frequently Asked Questions About Tornos erectarius - Hodges#6484
How big is Tornos erectarius - Hodges#6484?
Wingspan: ♂ 18-30 mm, ♀ 22-31 mm. Powell & Opler listed the forewing length 14-16 mm.
Where is Tornos erectarius - Hodges#6484 found?
Range: Powell & Opler reported the range as coastal southern California and discontinuously to southeastern Arizona. Type locality: Santa Catalina Mountains, Pinal County, Arizona.
When is Tornos erectarius - Hodges#6484 active?
Tornos erectarius - Hodges#6484: seasonal activity - Powell & Opler stated the adults fly all months except January. * January record on Bug Guide..