Snowy-shouldered Acleris - Hodges#3510
Acleris nivisellana
This record describes Acleris nivisellana (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing white with large blackish semicircular patch mid-way along costa; diffuse irregular patches of light gray mixed with brown in median area and along inner margin; dark spot near inner margin in AM area; subterminal area mostly dark gray; hindwing brownish-gray with wide pale fringe.
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
Southern Canada and northern United States, south in the east to Maryland and Virginia, south in the west to California . , Lectotype ♀ from "California".
Seasonal Activity
The main flight period is March to November. Ferguson (1975) reported September for Nova Scotia. ( 6 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Ferguson (1975) reported Prunus pensylvanica L.f. (pin cherry). ( 6 )
Life History
Probably two generations per year.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet from the Latin nix sella possibly meaning "snow-white saddle," for the shape of the white markings.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Acleris nivisellana. 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 Snowy-shouldered Acleris - Hodges#3510 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Snowy-shouldered Acleris - Hodges#3510
What is Snowy-shouldered Acleris - Hodges#3510?
Snowy-shouldered Acleris - Hodges#3510 (Acleris nivisellana) is a species in the family Tortricidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Snowy-shouldered Acleris - Hodges#3510?
Wingspan 13-15 mm.
How do you identify Snowy-shouldered Acleris - Hodges#3510?
Adult: forewing white with large blackish semicircular patch mid-way along costa; diffuse irregular patches of light gray mixed with brown in median area and along inner margin; dark spot near inner margin in AM area; subterminal area mostly dark gray; hindwing brownish-gray with wide pale fringe.
Where is Snowy-shouldered Acleris - Hodges#3510 found?
Range: Southern Canada and northern United States, south in the east to Maryland and Virginia, south in the west to California . , Lectotype ♀ from California.
What does Snowy-shouldered Acleris - Hodges#3510 eat?
The diet of the Snowy-shouldered Acleris - Hodges#3510 includes Ferguson (1975) reported Prunus pensylvanica L.f. (pin cherry). ( 6 ).
When is Snowy-shouldered Acleris - Hodges#3510 active?
Snowy-shouldered Acleris - Hodges#3510: seasonal activity - The main flight period is March to November. Ferguson (1975) reported September for Nova Scotia. ( 6 ).
What is the life cycle of a Snowy-shouldered Acleris - Hodges#3510?
Probably two generations per year.