Brittania Moth - Hodges#3537
Acleris britannia
This record describes Acleris britannia (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult - there are light and dark forms of this moth. See original description in Print References. ,
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Tortricoidea
- Family
- Tortricidae (Tortricid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Tortricinae
- Tribe
- Tortricini
- Genus
- Acleris
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Pacific coast of California to British Columbia. Described specimens: Kaslo, British Columbia (Dr. Dyer & Dr. Taylor ); near Wellington and Victotrio, British Columbia (Theo. Bryant ).
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval hosts in the family Roasaceae: thimbleberry ( Rubus parviflorus ), California blackberry ( Rubus ursinus ), California wildrose ( Rosa californica ). ,
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet for the type location, Kaslo, British Columbia. Kearfott also named Proteopteryx columbia to honor "the earnest and hard-working entomologists of the British Columbia district."
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Acleris britannia. 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 Brittania Moth - Hodges#3537 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Brittania Moth - Hodges#3537
What is Brittania Moth - Hodges#3537?
Brittania Moth - Hodges#3537 (Acleris britannia) is a species in the family Tortricidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Brittania Moth - Hodges#3537?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | Wingspan 17-19 mm. |
| Forewing | Forewing length 8-10 mm. |
How do you identify Brittania Moth - Hodges#3537?
Adult - there are light and dark forms of this moth. See original description in Print References. ,
Where is Brittania Moth - Hodges#3537 found?
Range: Pacific coast of California to British Columbia. Described specimens: Kaslo, British Columbia (Dr. Dyer & Dr. Taylor ); near Wellington and Victotrio, British Columbia (Theo. Bryant ).
What does Brittania Moth - Hodges#3537 eat?
The diet of the Brittania Moth - Hodges#3537 includes Larval hosts in the family Roasaceae: thimbleberry ( Rubus parviflorus ), California blackberry ( Rubus ursinus ), California wildrose ( Rosa californica ). ,.