Caloptilia palustriella - Hodges#0621
Caloptilia palustriella
This record describes Caloptilia palustriella (species). Recorded family: Gracillariidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Gracillarioidea
- Family
- Gracillariidae (Leaf Blotch Miner Moths)
- Subfamily
- Gracillariinae
- Genus
- Caloptilia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
California. ( 4 )
Seasonal Activity
Adults are most common from May to October.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Salix sp. (willow). ( 3 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Caloptilia palustriella. 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 Caloptilia palustriella - Hodges#0621 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Caloptilia palustriella - Hodges#0621
How big is Caloptilia palustriella - Hodges#0621?
Forewing length 7-9 mm. ( 3 )
Where is Caloptilia palustriella - Hodges#0621 found?
Range: California. ( 4 )
What does Caloptilia palustriella - Hodges#0621 eat?
The diet of the Caloptilia palustriella - Hodges#0621 includes Salix sp. (willow). ( 3 ).
When is Caloptilia palustriella - Hodges#0621 active?
Caloptilia palustriella - Hodges#0621: seasonal activity - Adults are most common from May to October..