Aristotelia corallina complex - Hodges#1733.1
Aristotelia corallina
This record describes Aristotelia corallina (species). Recorded family: Gelechiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Larva - anterior body ringed in black and white, posterior striped in black and white (Janzen, 1967). These were very common spring visitors (Mar-May) at my lights in Tucson. [Randy Hardy]
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
Records from Arizona to Florida, north to southern Indiana and Oklahoma. , Type locality: Mexico, Geurrero, Amula 6000ft'.
Seasonal Activity
Year round in Florida (MPG). Larvae and adults were present year round in Mexico, but most common in the dry season, as larvae were adversely impacted by rain (Janzen, 1967).
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Known hosts are in the pea family (Fabaceae). Janzen reported the larvae as very common nocturnal feeders on the shoot tips and young leaves of bullhorn wattle ( Acacia cornigera ), in our area limited to Florida (Janzen, 1967; 364). HOSTS lists the food plants as sweet acacia ( Acacia farnesiana ), which is present throughout the southern United States, and sensitive partridge pea ( Chamaecrista nictitans ), present from Texas to Florida. ( 4 )
Life History
Construct larval webs near the tips of the host plant (Janzen, 1967).
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Aristotelia corallina Walsingham, 1909 is recognized within the North American fauna in Kimball and Lee et al.. However, "true" corallina from north of Mexico is unverified. " A. corallina " is treated as a species complex in Baer, J. Lepdid. Soc, 72:44-52. The many specimens from north of Mexico identified as " corallina " at BOLD (12/8/2020) appear to represent several cryptic species. It is unclear which, if any, refer to "true" corallina . Specific epithet from coralline , described as "a pale pinkish red [salmon]" in Smith's entomological terms, for the distinctive "rosy cream" features of the moth. , The term likely originates from coralline algae, red algae in the order Corallinales.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Aristotelia corallina. 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 Aristotelia corallina complex - Hodges#1733.1 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Abigail Parker; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Mike Quinn , ceiseman , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Aristotelia corallina complex - Hodges#1733.1
What is Aristotelia corallina complex - Hodges#1733.1?
Aristotelia corallina complex - Hodges#1733.1 (Aristotelia corallina) is a species in the family Gelechiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Aristotelia corallina complex - Hodges#1733.1?
Wingspan 12 mm. Larva to 10-12 mm (Janzen, 1967).
How do you identify Aristotelia corallina complex - Hodges#1733.1?
Larva - anterior body ringed in black and white, posterior striped in black and white (Janzen, 1967).
Where is Aristotelia corallina complex - Hodges#1733.1 found?
Range: Records from Arizona to Florida, north to southern Indiana and Oklahoma. , Type locality: Mexico, Geurrero, Amula 6000ft'.
What does Aristotelia corallina complex - Hodges#1733.1 eat?
The diet of the Aristotelia corallina complex - Hodges#1733.1 includes Known hosts are in the pea family (Fabaceae). Janzen reported the larvae as very common nocturnal feeders on the shoot tips and young leaves of bullhorn wattle ( Acacia cornigera ), in our area limited to Florida (Janzen, 1967; 364). HOSTS lists the food plants as sweet acacia ( Acacia farnesiana ), which is present throughout the southern United States, and sensitive partridge pea ( Chamaecrista nictitans ), present from Texas to Florida. ( 4 ).
When is Aristotelia corallina complex - Hodges#1733.1 active?
Aristotelia corallina complex - Hodges#1733.1: seasonal activity - Year round in Florida (MPG). Larvae and adults were present year round in Mexico, but most common in the dry season, as larvae were adversely impacted by rain (Janzen, 1967)..
What is the life cycle of a Aristotelia corallina complex - Hodges#1733.1?
Construct larval webs near the tips of the host plant (Janzen, 1967).