Conifer Coleotechnites Moth - Hodges#1803
Coleotechnites coniferella
This record describes Coleotechnites coniferella (species). Recorded family: Gelechiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult - see original description in Print References.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Gelechioidea
- Family
- Gelechiidae (Twirler Moths)
- Subfamily
- Gelechiinae
- Tribe
- Litini
- Genus
- Coleotechnites
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Spotty records coast to coast United States and southern Canada. ,
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Gibson reared them on pine.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet refers to specimens "bred from larvae on pine," a conifer.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Coleotechnites coniferella. 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 Conifer Coleotechnites Moth - Hodges#1803 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Steve Nanz; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Conifer Coleotechnites Moth - Hodges#1803
What is Conifer Coleotechnites Moth - Hodges#1803?
Conifer Coleotechnites Moth - Hodges#1803 (Coleotechnites coniferella) is a species in the family Gelechiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Conifer Coleotechnites Moth - Hodges#1803?
Wingspan about 9 mm.
How do you identify Conifer Coleotechnites Moth - Hodges#1803?
Adult - see original description in Print References.
Where is Conifer Coleotechnites Moth - Hodges#1803 found?
Range: Spotty records coast to coast United States and southern Canada. ,
What does Conifer Coleotechnites Moth - Hodges#1803 eat?
The diet of the Conifer Coleotechnites Moth - Hodges#1803 includes Gibson reared them on pine..