Argyresthia freyella - Hodges#2455
Argyresthia freyella
This record describes Argyresthia freyella (species). Recorded family: Argyresthiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Identification notes
Genitalia:
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Yponomeutoidea
- Family
- Argyresthiidae (Shiny Head-Standing Moths)
- Genus
- Argyresthia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Roughly from Minnesota south to Dallas, Texas, east to Alabama, northeast to New Jersey, north to New Brunswick and Ontario. , ,
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval hosts are junipers ( Juniperus , Cupressaceae). Forbes reported them on eastern redcedar ( Juniperus virginiana ) and arborvitae ( Thuja ). ,
Life History
Larva makes a spindle-shaped white cocoon with brown spots attached to the outside surface of the foliage included in its web. ( 4 ) Larvae feed in mines which extend along main branches and branchlets. Pupation takes place in cocoons spun on leaves or branches in the spring. ( 5 ) Overwinter as full-grown larvae in the mine. ( 5 ) One generation per year. ( 5 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Named in honor of German-born lepidopterist Prof. Heinrich Frey (1822-1890).
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Argyresthia freyella. 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 Argyresthia freyella - Hodges#2455 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy , Marci Hess , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Argyresthia freyella - Hodges#2455
How big is Argyresthia freyella - Hodges#2455?
Wingspan 8-9 mm.
How do you identify Argyresthia freyella - Hodges#2455?
Genitalia:
Where is Argyresthia freyella - Hodges#2455 found?
Range: Roughly from Minnesota south to Dallas, Texas, east to Alabama, northeast to New Jersey, north to New Brunswick and Ontario. , ,
What does Argyresthia freyella - Hodges#2455 eat?
The diet of the Argyresthia freyella - Hodges#2455 includes Larval hosts are junipers ( Juniperus , Cupressaceae). Forbes reported them on eastern redcedar ( Juniperus virginiana ) and arborvitae ( Thuja ). ,.
What is the life cycle of a Argyresthia freyella - Hodges#2455?
Larva makes a spindle-shaped white cocoon with brown spots attached to the outside surface of the foliage included in its web. ( 4 ) Larvae feed in mines which extend along main branches and branchlets. Pupation takes place in cocoons spun on leaves or branches in the spring. ( 5 ) Overwinter as full-grown larvae in the mine. ( 5 ) One generation per year. ( 5 )