Two-spotted Aethes - Hodges#3754.3
Aethes atomosana
This record describes Aethes atomosana (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
This species was number 3810 in the 1983 Hodges Checklist.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Tortricoidea
- Family
- Tortricidae (Tortricid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Tortricinae
- Tribe
- Cochylini
- Genus
- Aethes
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Southeastern Canada and northeastern United States. ( 4 ) Holotype ♀ collected 17 August 1905, USA, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County, H. Engel . ( 5 )
Seasonal Activity
The main flight period is June to September. ( 6 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet from Latin meaning "minute dots or points," for the forewings "irregularly sprinkled with single black scales."
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Aethes atomosana. 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 Two-spotted Aethes - Hodges#3754.3 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by John F. Carr; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Maury Heiman , Nick Block , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Two-spotted Aethes - Hodges#3754.3
What is Two-spotted Aethes - Hodges#3754.3?
Two-spotted Aethes - Hodges#3754.3 (Aethes atomosana) is a species in the family Tortricidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Two-spotted Aethes - Hodges#3754.3?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Forewing | Forewing length 6.6-9.8 mm. |
| Wingspan | Wingspan 18-19 mm. |
Where is Two-spotted Aethes - Hodges#3754.3 found?
Range: Southeastern Canada and northeastern United States. ( 4 ) Holotype ♀ collected 17 August 1905, USA, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County, H. Engel . ( 5 )
When is Two-spotted Aethes - Hodges#3754.3 active?
Two-spotted Aethes - Hodges#3754.3: seasonal activity - The main flight period is June to September. ( 6 ).