Agonopterix paulae - Hodges#0868.2
Agonopterix paulae
This record describes Agonopterix paulae (species). Recorded family: Depressariidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Gelechioidea
- Family
- Depressariidae
- Subfamily
- Depressariinae
- Genus
- Agonopterix
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
As for larval host plant.
Geographic Range
Known from areas of the eastern USA where its larval host plant occurs.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larva feeds in a marginal leaflet roll on prickly ash, Zanthoxylum americanum (Rutaceae).
Life History
Two generations per year. In central Illinois, mature larvae occur in mid-June, and again in late July; overwintering takes place in the adult stage.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Agonopterix paulae. 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 Agonopterix paulae - Hodges#0868.2 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Terry Harrison
Frequently Asked Questions About Agonopterix paulae - Hodges#0868.2
How big is Agonopterix paulae - Hodges#0868.2?
Forewing length 10.0-10.5mm.
Where is Agonopterix paulae - Hodges#0868.2 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | As for larval host plant. |
| Range | Known from areas of the eastern USA where its larval host plant occurs. |
What does Agonopterix paulae - Hodges#0868.2 eat?
The diet of the Agonopterix paulae - Hodges#0868.2 includes Larva feeds in a marginal leaflet roll on prickly ash, Zanthoxylum americanum (Rutaceae)..
What is the life cycle of a Agonopterix paulae - Hodges#0868.2?
Two generations per year. In central Illinois, mature larvae occur in mid-June, and again in late July; overwintering takes place in the adult stage.