Triphosa californiata - Hodges#7287
Triphosa californiata
This record describes Triphosa californiata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance

Specimens identified by DNA analysis:
Identification notes
Specimens identified by DNA analysis:
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Larentiinae
- Tribe
- Hydriomenini
- Genus
- Triphosa (Tissue Moths)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
western (AZ, CA, OR)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: HOSTS database lists Rhamnus crocea (Buckthorn)
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Triphosa californiata. 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 Triphosa californiata - Hodges#7287 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jason D. Roberts; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Triphosa californiata - Hodges#7287
What is Triphosa californiata - Hodges#7287?
Triphosa californiata - Hodges#7287 (Triphosa californiata) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How do you identify Triphosa californiata - Hodges#7287?
Specimens identified by DNA analysis:
Where is Triphosa californiata - Hodges#7287 found?
Range: western (AZ, CA, OR)
What does Triphosa californiata - Hodges#7287 eat?
The diet of the Triphosa californiata - Hodges#7287 includes HOSTS database lists Rhamnus crocea (Buckthorn).
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