Aristotelia elegantella - Hodges#1736
Aristotelia elegantella
This record describes Aristotelia elegantella (species). Recorded family: Gelechiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adults come to lights, but typically only one at a time. ( 4 )
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
Ont-Miss to CA - Map (GBIF); Map (MPG) Powell & Opler states Texas to California. Forbes states Texas to Missouri, central Illinois, and west.
Seasonal Activity
Apr-Oct (MPG & BG data)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet from Latin meaning "elegant."
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Aristotelia elegantella. 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 elegantella - Hodges#1736 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Aristotelia elegantella - Hodges#1736
What is Aristotelia elegantella - Hodges#1736?
Aristotelia elegantella - Hodges#1736 (Aristotelia elegantella) is a species in the family Gelechiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Aristotelia elegantella - Hodges#1736?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Forewing | Forewing length 5.5-6.5 mm. |
| Wingspan | Wingspan 13 mm. Total length 6-7 mm. |
Where is Aristotelia elegantella - Hodges#1736 found?
Range: Ont-Miss to CA - Map (GBIF); Map (MPG) Powell & Opler states Texas to California. Forbes states Texas to Missouri, central Illinois, and west.
When is Aristotelia elegantella - Hodges#1736 active?
Aristotelia elegantella - Hodges#1736: seasonal activity - Apr-Oct (MPG & BG data).