Anthophila alpinella - Hodges#2628
Anthophila alpinella
This record describes Anthophila alpinella (species). Recorded family: Choreutidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Choreutoidea
- Family
- Choreutidae (Metalmark Moths)
- Subfamily
- Choreutinae
- Genus
- Anthophila
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Northeastern United States, across southern Canada to British Columbia, south into coastal California to about San Francisco and the Rocky Mountains.
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly from March to early July and in September to October.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval host Urtica sp. including Urtica dioica (stinging nettle). usda.gov - plant information
Life History
Larvae create a shelter by crumbling new leaves and flowers.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Anthophila alpinella. 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 Anthophila alpinella - Hodges#2628 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Aaron Schusteff; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Anthophila alpinella - Hodges#2628
How big is Anthophila alpinella - Hodges#2628?
Forewing length 5.5-6.7 mm.
Where is Anthophila alpinella - Hodges#2628 found?
Range: Northeastern United States, across southern Canada to British Columbia, south into coastal California to about San Francisco and the Rocky Mountains.
What does Anthophila alpinella - Hodges#2628 eat?
The diet of the Anthophila alpinella - Hodges#2628 includes Larval host Urtica sp. including Urtica dioica (stinging nettle). usda.gov - plant information.
When is Anthophila alpinella - Hodges#2628 active?
Anthophila alpinella - Hodges#2628: seasonal activity - Adults fly from March to early July and in September to October..
What is the life cycle of a Anthophila alpinella - Hodges#2628?
Larvae create a shelter by crumbling new leaves and flowers.