Anarsia innoxiella

This record describes Anarsia innoxiella (species). Recorded family: Gelechiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Wingspan 11 to 14 mm. The long black streak in the centre of the forewing is said to be diagnostic of innoxiella , supported by the more contrasting pattern overall. Anarsia lineatella is similar but has a less-contrasting, duller pattern and the central black streak is shorter and more elliptical. Adults are typically on the wing in July and August. Status is difficult to determine, but the species appears to be well established, if local, in southern England at least. This species was recognised as new to science in a paper published in 2017, and it is thought that most specimens of previously identified A. lineatella that have been light-trapped are likely to be innoxiella .

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Gelechiidae
Genus: Anarsia

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Habitat

The species is associated with Acer.

Seasonal Activity

Adults are typically on the wing in July and August.

Additional species information

Recorded status

Status is difficult to determine, but the species appears to be well established, if local, in southern England at least. This species was recognised as new to science in a paper published in 2017, and it is thought that most specimens of previously identified

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Anarsia innoxiella. 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.

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