Welsh Wave - Hodges#7425
Venusia cambrica
This record describes Venusia cambrica (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing white with several lines and dark brown bands crossing wing; terminal line composed of several black triangular spots at ends of veins (a distinguishing feature); median line black, irregular, but lacking prominent notch near costa; hindwing similar but lines fainter and present only on outer half Specimens identified by DNA Analysis: Genitalia: Larva: body greenish, marked with purple or brown blotches
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Larentiinae
- Tribe
- Asthenini
- Genus
- Venusia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
wet coniferous forests in the west; adults rest on tree trunks during the day
Geographic Range
across Canada from Newfoundland to British Columbia, south in the west to California, south in the east (Appalachians) to Georgia also occurs throughout Eurasia
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from June to September in New Brunswick and Quebec; March to August in California
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on leaves of alder, apple, birch, mountain ash, serviceberry, willow
Life History
two generations per year
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Venusia cambrica. 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 Welsh Wave - Hodges#7425 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , Robert H. Biagi , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Welsh Wave - Hodges#7425
What is Welsh Wave - Hodges#7425?
Welsh Wave - Hodges#7425 (Venusia cambrica) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Welsh Wave - Hodges#7425?
wingspan 23-25 mm, based on two photos at CBIF European specimens with reported wingspan of 27-30 mm
How do you identify Welsh Wave - Hodges#7425?
Adult: forewing white with several lines and dark brown bands crossing wing; terminal line composed of several black triangular spots at ends of veins (a distinguishing feature); median line black, irregular, but lacking prominent notch near costa; hindwing similar but lines fainter and present only on outer half Specimens identified by DNA Analysis: Genitalia: Larva: body greenish, marked with purple or brown blotches
Where is Welsh Wave - Hodges#7425 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | wet coniferous forests in the west; adults rest on tree trunks during the day |
| Range | across Canada from Newfoundland to British Columbia, south in the west to California, south in the east (Appalachians) to Georgia also occurs throughout Eurasia |
What does Welsh Wave - Hodges#7425 eat?
The diet of the Welsh Wave - Hodges#7425 includes larvae feed on leaves of alder, apple, birch, mountain ash, serviceberry, willow.
When is Welsh Wave - Hodges#7425 active?
Welsh Wave - Hodges#7425: seasonal activity - adults fly from June to September in New Brunswick and Quebec; March to August in California.
What is the life cycle of a Welsh Wave - Hodges#7425?
two generations per year