LepidopteraGeometridae – Geometrid Moths

Triphosa californiata - Hodges#7287

Triphosa californiata

This record describes Triphosa californiata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Triphosa californiata - Hodges#7287 - Triphosa californiata
Contributed by Jason D. Roberts; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy , Robert H. Biagi

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.

Explore Lepidoptera families and species →

Photos of Triphosa californiata - Hodges#7287 (5)

Triphosa californiata - Hodges#7287 - photo 1
Contributed by Jason D. Roberts; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy , Robert H. Biagi
Triphosa californiata - Hodges#7287 - photo 2
Contributed by Jason D. Roberts; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy , Robert H. Biagi
Triphosa californiata - Hodges#7287 - photo 3
Contributed by Jason D. Roberts; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy , Robert H. Biagi
Triphosa californiata - Hodges#7287 - photo 4
Contributed by Jason D. Roberts; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy , Robert H. Biagi
Triphosa californiata - Hodges#7287 - photo 5
Contributed by Jason D. Roberts; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy , Robert H. Biagi

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).

How we use and review source data. Source count does not imply independent verification.

Photo credits: Contributed by Jason D. Roberts; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy , Robert H. Biagi. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.