LepidopteraBucculatricidae – Ribbed Cocoon-maker Moths

Bucculatrix speciosa - Hodges#0527

Bucculatrix speciosa

This record describes Bucculatrix speciosa (species). Recorded family: Bucculatricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Bucculatrix speciosa - Hodges#0527 - Bucculatrix speciosa
Contributed by Steve Nanz

Identification notes

See Braun

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily
Gracillarioidea
Family
Bucculatricidae (Ribbed Cocoon-maker Moths)
Genus
Bucculatrix

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

Type locality: WV

Diet and Behavior

Diet: Larvae are a leaf miner of Solidago sp.

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Bucculatrix speciosa. 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.

Explore Lepidoptera families and species →

Photos of Bucculatrix speciosa - Hodges#0527 (2)

Bucculatrix speciosa - Hodges#0527 - photo 1
Contributed by Steve Nanz
Bucculatrix speciosa - Hodges#0527 - photo 2
Contributed by Steve Nanz

Photo credits: Contributed by Steve Nanz

Frequently Asked Questions About Bucculatrix speciosa - Hodges#0527

How do you identify Bucculatrix speciosa - Hodges#0527?

See Braun

Where is Bucculatrix speciosa - Hodges#0527 found?

Range: Type locality: WV

What does Bucculatrix speciosa - Hodges#0527 eat?

The diet of the Bucculatrix speciosa - Hodges#0527 includes Larvae are a leaf miner of Solidago sp..

How we use and review source data. Source count does not imply independent verification.

Photo credits: Contributed by Steve Nanz. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.