Adela thorpella - Hodges#0223
Adela thorpella
This record describes Adela thorpella (species). Recorded family: Adelidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Large-eyed; antennae 2.5 x FW length in males, 1.4 x FW length in females; wings dull, brassy-bronze with a pale fringe and at most a pale band represented by a tornal spot. A detailed description of A. thorpella appears on pg 226 of the synopsis by Powell .
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Adeloidea
- Family
- Adelidae (Fairy Moths)
- Subfamily
- Adelinae
- Genus
- Adela
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Open meadows, widespread in foothill situations.
Geographic Range
Central CA (from Sonoma Co. south to Monterey Co., east to Madera Co., and north to El Dorado Co.)
Seasonal Activity
Mar-Apr
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Host plant Platystemon californica , also rarely on Meconella ...both in the Papaveraceae.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Named for melittologist Robbin W. Thorp of UC Davis.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Adela thorpella. 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 Adela thorpella - Hodges#0223 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Aaron Schusteff
Frequently Asked Questions About Adela thorpella - Hodges#0223
What is Adela thorpella - Hodges#0223?
Adela thorpella - Hodges#0223 (Adela thorpella) is a species in the family Adelidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Adela thorpella - Hodges#0223?
FW 6-7mm
How do you identify Adela thorpella - Hodges#0223?
Large-eyed; antennae 2.5 x FW length in males, 1.4 x FW length in females; wings dull, brassy-bronze with a pale fringe and at most a pale band represented by a tornal spot.
Where is Adela thorpella - Hodges#0223 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Open meadows, widespread in foothill situations. |
| Range | Central CA (from Sonoma Co. south to Monterey Co., east to Madera Co., and north to El Dorado Co.) |
What does Adela thorpella - Hodges#0223 eat?
The diet of the Adela thorpella - Hodges#0223 includes Host plant Platystemon californica , also rarely on Meconella ...both in the Papaveraceae..
When is Adela thorpella - Hodges#0223 active?
Adela thorpella - Hodges#0223: seasonal activity - Mar-Apr.