Aristotelia adenostomae - Hodges#1727
Aristotelia adenostomae
This record describes Aristotelia adenostomae (species). Recorded family: Gelechiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult - dark gray to black, dorsal half tinged with dark reddish.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Gelechioidea
- Family
- Gelechiidae (Twirler Moths)
- Subfamily
- Anomologinae
- Genus
- Aristotelia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
California, from the Coast Range foothills around San Francisco Bay and the coastal areas to Los Angeles county and the Channel Islands. Holotype male: Crystal Lakes, San Mateo County, California, larva collected July 4, 1928 (Keifer).
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed of chamise ( Adenostoma fasciculatum ) in spring.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet for the host plant genus.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Aristotelia adenostomae. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Aristotelia adenostomae - Hodges#1727
What is Aristotelia adenostomae - Hodges#1727?
Aristotelia adenostomae - Hodges#1727 (Aristotelia adenostomae) is a species in the family Gelechiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Aristotelia adenostomae - Hodges#1727?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Forewing | Forewing length 4.3-6.0 mm. |
| Wingspan | Wingspan 9-10 mm. Mature larva to 7.5 mm. |
How do you identify Aristotelia adenostomae - Hodges#1727?
Adult - dark gray to black, dorsal half tinged with dark reddish.
Where is Aristotelia adenostomae - Hodges#1727 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Range | California, from the Coast Range foothills around San Francisco Bay and the coastal areas to Los Angeles county and the Channel Islands. Holotype |
| Male | Crystal Lakes, San Mateo County, California, larva collected July 4, 1928 (Keifer). |
What does Aristotelia adenostomae - Hodges#1727 eat?
The diet of the Aristotelia adenostomae - Hodges#1727 includes Larvae feed of chamise ( Adenostoma fasciculatum ) in spring..