Chimoptesis chrysopyla - Hodges#3270
Chimoptesis chrysopyla
This record describes Chimoptesis chrysopyla (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance

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.
Photos of Chimoptesis chrysopyla - Hodges#3270 (2)
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?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Low elevation coastal counties of California. |
| Range | California. Holotype male and allotype |
| Female | Golden 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..
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