undescribed Ribes feeder
Caloptilia undescribed-ribes
This record describes Caloptilia undescribed-ribes (species). Recorded family: Gracillariidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
This moth resembles the maple-feeding C. umbratella , but the two are clearly distinguishable on male genital morphology.
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
Habitat
The larval host plant occurs in deciduous forest.
Geographic Range
Eastern North America.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The known larval host plant (in Illinois) is Ribes uva-crispa (Grossulariaceae). Additional spp. of Ribes might be used.
Life History
The larva makes a leaf cone that is typical for Caloptilia , but the host plant, Ribes sp., and the distinctive patches of feeding damage that are visible on the exterior of the cone (see illustration here ), readily differentiate the larval damage of this species from that of aything else.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Caloptilia undescribed-ribes. 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 undescribed Ribes feeder (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Terry Harrison; Additional contributions by ceiseman
Frequently Asked Questions About undescribed Ribes feeder
What is undescribed Ribes feeder?
undescribed Ribes feeder (Caloptilia undescribed-ribes) is a species in the family Gracillariidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How do you identify undescribed Ribes feeder?
This moth resembles the maple-feeding C. umbratella , but the two are clearly distinguishable on male genital morphology.
Where is undescribed Ribes feeder found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | The larval host plant occurs in deciduous forest. |
| Range | Eastern North America. |
What does undescribed Ribes feeder eat?
The diet of the undescribed Ribes feeder includes The known larval host plant (in Illinois) is Ribes uva-crispa (Grossulariaceae). Additional spp. of Ribes might be used..
What is the life cycle of a undescribed Ribes feeder?
The larva makes a leaf cone that is typical for Caloptilia , but the host plant, Ribes sp., and the distinctive patches of feeding damage that are visible on the exterior of the cone (see illustration here ), readily differentiate the larval damage of this species from that of aything else.