Acleris maccana - Hodges#3549
Acleris maccana
This record describes Acleris maccana (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult : Gray-brown or red-brown moth with squared wings and the abrupt shoulder characteristic of Tortricids. The FW markings are highly variable. Some specimens are poorly marked with markings confined to a narrow oblique rusty red line crossing the FW midway, and a less prominent erratic line crossing from the midpoint of the costa to the anal angle. Other specimens are gray with the outer half of the wing dark red-brown, frequently with a dark oblique band near the FW base. HW mottled light brownish gray. ( 5 )
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
In North America, it occurs across much of the boreal forest region, south in the mountains in the east. ( 4 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on deciduous trees and shrubs, including Myrica, Vaccinium, Rhododendron, Malus, Betula, Salix and Populus species. They live between leaves spun together with silk. ( 4 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet from Latin maccus meaning "buffoon." ,
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Acleris maccana. 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 Acleris maccana - Hodges#3549 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , Robert Lord Zimlich , Randy Hardy , JoAnneRusso
Frequently Asked Questions About Acleris maccana - Hodges#3549
What is Acleris maccana - Hodges#3549?
Acleris maccana - Hodges#3549 (Acleris maccana) is a species in the family Tortricidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Acleris maccana - Hodges#3549?
Wingspan: 19-25 mm. ( 4 )
How do you identify Acleris maccana - Hodges#3549?
Adult : Gray-brown or red-brown moth with squared wings and the abrupt shoulder characteristic of Tortricids. The FW markings are highly variable. Some specimens are poorly marked with markings confined to a narrow oblique rusty red line crossing the FW midway, and a less prominent erratic line crossing from the midpoint of the costa to the anal angle. Other specimens are gray with the outer half of the wing dark red-brown, frequently with a dark oblique band near the FW base. HW mottled light brownish gray. ( 5 )
Where is Acleris maccana - Hodges#3549 found?
Range: In North America, it occurs across much of the boreal forest region, south in the mountains in the east. ( 4 )
What does Acleris maccana - Hodges#3549 eat?
The diet of the Acleris maccana - Hodges#3549 includes Larvae feed on deciduous trees and shrubs, including Myrica, Vaccinium, Rhododendron, Malus, Betula, Salix and Populus species. They live between leaves spun together with silk. ( 4 ).