Chionodes abella - Hodges#2055
Chionodes abella
This record describes Chionodes abella (species). Recorded family: Gelechiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Description can be found in MONA Fascicle 7-6 at link in citations below. In June, larvae feed in the newly developing foliage of Abies concolor and Pseudotsuga menziesii .
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Gelechioidea
- Family
- Gelechiidae (Twirler Moths)
- Subfamily
- Gelechiinae
- Tribe
- Gelechiini
- Genus
- Chionodes
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
northern Idaho and southwest British Columbia south to Culberson County, Texas and San Bernardino County, Califormia
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author: Busck, 1903
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Chionodes abella. 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 Chionodes abella - Hodges#2055 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Chionodes abella - Hodges#2055
What is Chionodes abella - Hodges#2055?
Chionodes abella - Hodges#2055 (Chionodes abella) is a species in the family Gelechiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Chionodes abella - Hodges#2055?
forewing length = 4.0-6.0 mm
How do you identify Chionodes abella - Hodges#2055?
Description can be found in MONA Fascicle 7-6 at link in citations below.
Where is Chionodes abella - Hodges#2055 found?
Range: northern Idaho and southwest British Columbia south to Culberson County, Texas and San Bernardino County, Califormia