LepidopteraTortricidae – Tortricid Moths

Chimoptesis chrysopyla - Hodges#3270

Chimoptesis chrysopyla

This record describes Chimoptesis chrysopyla (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Chimoptesis chrysopyla - Hodges#3270 - Chimoptesis chrysopyla
Contributed by Steve Nanz; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily
Tortricoidea
Family
Tortricidae (Tortricid Moths)
Subfamily
Olethreutinae
Tribe
Eucosmini
Genus
Chimoptesis

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

Habitat and Range

Habitat

Low elevation coastal counties of California.

Geographic Range

California. Holotype male and allotype female: Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California (J. Powell, 26 February 1960).

Diet and Behavior

Diet: Adults are associated with coast live oak ( Quercus agrifolia ) and the larvae are suspected to be borers of that host.

Additional species information

Species notes from the sources

Etymology: Specific epithet chrysopyla is from Latin meaning "golden gate" for the type location.

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Chimoptesis chrysopyla. 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 Chimoptesis chrysopyla - Hodges#3270 (2)

Chimoptesis chrysopyla - Hodges#3270 - photo 1
Contributed by Steve Nanz; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy
Chimoptesis chrysopyla - Hodges#3270 - photo 2
Contributed by Steve Nanz; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy

Photo credits: Contributed by Steve Nanz; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy

Frequently Asked Questions About Chimoptesis chrysopyla - Hodges#3270

How big is Chimoptesis chrysopyla - Hodges#3270?

Forewing length 7.2-8.6 mm.

Where is Chimoptesis chrysopyla - Hodges#3270 found?
FeatureDetails
HabitatLow elevation coastal counties of California.
RangeCalifornia. Holotype male and allotype
FemaleGolden Gate Park, San Francisco, California (J. Powell, 26 February 1960).
What does Chimoptesis chrysopyla - Hodges#3270 eat?

The diet of the Chimoptesis chrysopyla - Hodges#3270 includes Adults are associated with coast live oak ( Quercus agrifolia ) and the larvae are suspected to be borers of that host..

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

Photo credits: Contributed by Steve Nanz; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.