Apodia bifractella
This record describes Apodia bifractella (species). Recorded family: Gelechiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 9-12 mm. Mainly brown with a broad orange stripe across the rear of its wings and an orange head. As is typical of the Gelechiidae, it rests with its palps turned back over its head. Secretive but is sometimes found in late afternoon on flowers of its food plants such as Common Fleabane. Larva, October to April, and pupa, May to June, in seed heads of Common Fleabane, Ploughman's Spikenard or Sea Aster. There are no external feeding signs. The easiest way to find Apodia bifractella is to note locations in summer where the food plants grow and to return in December to April to collect a carrier bag of the dead plant remains. Keep outdoors until March/April and then bring inside. Remove seed heads and place them in a large sweet jar, or similar, with the lid on. Adults may emerge in July-August. Widespread in southern England and also in north-west England and north Wales but not particularly common even here. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Gelechiidae
- Genus
- Apodia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Secretive but is sometimes found in late afternoon on flowers of its food plants such as Common Fleabane.
Seasonal Activity
July-August
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widespread in southern England and also in north-west England and north Wales but not particularly common even here. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Apodia bifractella. 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 Apodia bifractella (4)
Frequently Asked Questions About Apodia bifractella
What is Apodia bifractella?
Apodia bifractella is a species in the family Gelechiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Apodia bifractella found?
Habitat: Secretive but is sometimes found in late afternoon on flowers of its food plants such as Common Fleabane.
When is Apodia bifractella active?
Apodia bifractella: seasonal activity - July-August.