Carrionflower Moth - Hodges#2490
Acrolepiopsis incertella
This record describes Acrolepiopsis incertella (species). Recorded family: Glyphipterigidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing slender, grayish-brown with reddish iridescence and small white triangular patch part-way along inner margin; distinct notch part-way along outer margin; hindwing brownish-gray, paler than forewing, with dark veins and whitish shading toward base. Larva: body pale green with sparse short hairs.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Yponomeutoidea
- Family
- Glyphipterigidae (Sedge and False Diamondback Moths)
- Subfamily
- Acrolepiinae
- Genus
- Acrolepiopsis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Heppner reported the range to include New Hampshire to Florida , west to Texas and Illinois.
Seasonal Activity
The main flight period appears to be February to September. Heppner reported March and May in Florida. MJ Hatfield recorded a the emergence of a specimen from Iowa 10/29/21, BugGuide Photo# 2089881 . "... for A. incertella , this represents new information on host plant, larval feeding mode, and phenology. It also impacts the reliability of sight identifying spring-occurring adults..." - Terry Harrison (pers. comm. 9/8/22).
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The larvae feed on carrionflower or greenbrier ( Smilax spp.), especially Bristly Greenbrier ( S. tamnoides ); also reported on lily ( Lilium spp.)
Life History
The larval hostplant terminal leaf is rolled and tied together at the edges by a larva, which lives and feeds inside the rolled leaf in early spring. After the larva finishes feeding, it vacates its rolled-leaf shelter and spins a meshwork silken cocoon, inside which it pupates. Adults emerge in late May and overwinter. One generation per year.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Acrolepiopsis incertella. 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 Carrionflower Moth - Hodges#2490 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Robin McLeod , Maury Heiman , marcie oconnor
Frequently Asked Questions About Carrionflower Moth - Hodges#2490
What is Carrionflower Moth - Hodges#2490?
Carrionflower Moth - Hodges#2490 (Acrolepiopsis incertella) is a species in the family Glyphipterigidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Carrionflower Moth - Hodges#2490?
Wingspan about 11 mm, based on photo by Jim Vargo at MPG.
How do you identify Carrionflower Moth - Hodges#2490?
Adult: forewing slender, grayish-brown with reddish iridescence and small white triangular patch part-way along inner margin; distinct notch part-way along outer margin; hindwing brownish-gray, paler than forewing, with dark veins and whitish shading toward base. Larva: body pale green with sparse short hairs.
Where is Carrionflower Moth - Hodges#2490 found?
Range: Heppner reported the range to include New Hampshire to Florida , west to Texas and Illinois.
What does Carrionflower Moth - Hodges#2490 eat?
The diet of the Carrionflower Moth - Hodges#2490 includes The larvae feed on carrionflower or greenbrier ( Smilax spp.), especially Bristly Greenbrier ( S. tamnoides ); also reported on lily ( Lilium spp.).
When is Carrionflower Moth - Hodges#2490 active?
Carrionflower Moth - Hodges#2490: seasonal activity - The main flight period appears to be February to September. Heppner reported March and May in Florida. MJ Hatfield recorded a the emergence of a specimen from Iowa 10/29/21, BugGuide Photo# 2089881 . ... for A. incertella , this represents new information on host plant, larval feeding mode, and phenology. It also impacts the reliability of sight identifying spring-occurring adults... - Terry Harrison (pers. comm. 9/8/22)..
What is the life cycle of a Carrionflower Moth - Hodges#2490?
The larval hostplant terminal leaf is rolled and tied together at the edges by a larva, which lives and feeds inside the rolled leaf in early spring. After the larva finishes feeding, it vacates its rolled-leaf shelter and spins a meshwork silken cocoon, inside which it pupates. Adults emerge in late May and overwinter. One generation per year.