Chionodes oecus - Hodges#2086.2
Chionodes oecus
This record describes Chionodes oecus (species). Recorded family: Gelechiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Detailed description available from MONA Fascicle 7-6 linked in citations below.
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
Socorro County, NM west to southern California
Seasonal Activity
Feb to July, November (possibly two broods)
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Chionodes oecus. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chionodes oecus - Hodges#2086.2
What is Chionodes oecus - Hodges#2086.2?
Chionodes oecus - Hodges#2086.2 (Chionodes oecus) is a species in the family Gelechiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Chionodes oecus - Hodges#2086.2?
forewing length = 6.3-8.0 mm
How do you identify Chionodes oecus - Hodges#2086.2?
Detailed description available from MONA Fascicle 7-6 linked in citations below.
Where is Chionodes oecus - Hodges#2086.2 found?
Range: Socorro County, NM west to southern California
When is Chionodes oecus - Hodges#2086.2 active?
Chionodes oecus - Hodges#2086.2: seasonal activity - Feb to July, November (possibly two broods).