Banded Sunflower Moth - Hodges#3777
Cochylichroa hospes
This record describes Cochylichroa hospes (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adults - golden ochreous with broad, dark brown to rust brown medial fascia and subapical blotch containing irridescent gray patches. ( 3 ) Also see Razowski (1997). ( 4 ) Genitalia: ♀ ♂
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Tortricoidea
- Family
- Tortricidae (Tortricid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Tortricinae
- Tribe
- Cochylini
- Genus
- Cochylichroa
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
North Carolina through the Midwest to Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and northern Arizona. ( 3 ) Type locality: North Carolina.
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly July to August in Manitoba. ( 3 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on developing seeds in flower heads of cultivated and wild sunflower ( Helianthus ).
Life History
Overwinters as last instar larvae. ( 3 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet is Latin meaning "host, guest, visitor."
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Cochylichroa hospes. 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 Banded Sunflower Moth - Hodges#3777 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , marcie oconnor , Randy Hardy , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Banded Sunflower Moth - Hodges#3777
What is Banded Sunflower Moth - Hodges#3777?
Banded Sunflower Moth - Hodges#3777 (Cochylichroa hospes) is a species in the family Tortricidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Banded Sunflower Moth - Hodges#3777?
Forewing length 5.5-8.0 mm. ( 3 )
How do you identify Banded Sunflower Moth - Hodges#3777?
Adults - golden ochreous with broad, dark brown to rust brown medial fascia and subapical blotch containing irridescent gray patches. ( 3 ) Also see Razowski (1997). ( 4 ) Genitalia: ♀ ♂
Where is Banded Sunflower Moth - Hodges#3777 found?
Range: North Carolina through the Midwest to Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and northern Arizona. ( 3 ) Type locality: North Carolina.
What does Banded Sunflower Moth - Hodges#3777 eat?
The diet of the Banded Sunflower Moth - Hodges#3777 includes Larvae feed on developing seeds in flower heads of cultivated and wild sunflower ( Helianthus )..
When is Banded Sunflower Moth - Hodges#3777 active?
Banded Sunflower Moth - Hodges#3777: seasonal activity - Adults fly July to August in Manitoba. ( 3 ).
What is the life cycle of a Banded Sunflower Moth - Hodges#3777?
Overwinters as last instar larvae. ( 3 )