LepidopteraGracillariidae – Leaf Blotch Miner Moths

Cameraria aesculisella - Hodges#0804

Cameraria aesculisella

This record describes Cameraria aesculisella (species). Recorded family: Gracillariidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Cameraria aesculisella - Hodges#0804 - Cameraria aesculisella
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily
Gracillarioidea
Family
Gracillariidae (Leaf Blotch Miner Moths)
Subfamily
Lithocolletinae
Genus
Cameraria

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

Habitat and Range

Seasonal Activity

The flight period is April to August.

Diet and Behavior

Diet: The larvae are leaf miners of several Aesculus species.

Life History

Overwinters in the larval state.

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Cameraria aesculisella. 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 Cameraria aesculisella - Hodges#0804 (5)

Cameraria aesculisella - Hodges#0804 - photo 1
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Cameraria aesculisella - Hodges#0804 - photo 2
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Cameraria aesculisella - Hodges#0804 - photo 3
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Cameraria aesculisella - Hodges#0804 - photo 4
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Cameraria aesculisella - Hodges#0804 - photo 5
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Frequently Asked Questions About Cameraria aesculisella - Hodges#0804

How big is Cameraria aesculisella - Hodges#0804?

Wingsapn 8-9 mm.

What does Cameraria aesculisella - Hodges#0804 eat?

The diet of the Cameraria aesculisella - Hodges#0804 includes The larvae are leaf miners of several Aesculus species..

When is Cameraria aesculisella - Hodges#0804 active?

Cameraria aesculisella - Hodges#0804: seasonal activity - The flight period is April to August..

What is the life cycle of a Cameraria aesculisella - Hodges#0804?

Overwinters in the larval state.

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

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.