Acrocercops astericola - Hodges#0692
Acrocercops astericola
This record describes Acrocercops astericola (species). Recorded family: Gracillariidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
None of the reared specimens uploaded to BugGuide have the basal half of the dorsal margin entirely white/pale, as is the case with Leucospilapteryx venustella . For comparison, here is L. venustella : Another, undescribed moth has similar markings to L. venustella :
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Gracillarioidea
- Family
- Gracillariidae (Leaf Blotch Miner Moths)
- Subfamily
- Acrocercopinae
- Genus
- Acrocercops
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Leaf miners on asters
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Latin for "aster dweller", after the host plant.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Acrocercops astericola. 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 Acrocercops astericola - Hodges#0692 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Ron M. , Vox Sciurorum , ceiseman , marcie oconnor
Frequently Asked Questions About Acrocercops astericola - Hodges#0692
What is Acrocercops astericola - Hodges#0692?
Acrocercops astericola - Hodges#0692 (Acrocercops astericola) is a species in the family Gracillariidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How do you identify Acrocercops astericola - Hodges#0692?
None of the reared specimens uploaded to BugGuide have the basal half of the dorsal margin entirely white/pale, as is the case with Leucospilapteryx venustella . For comparison, here is L. venustella : Another, undescribed moth has similar markings to L. venustella :
What does Acrocercops astericola - Hodges#0692 eat?
The diet of the Acrocercops astericola - Hodges#0692 includes Leaf miners on asters.