LepidopteraGelechiidae – Twirler Moths

Common Juniper Leafminer - Hodges#1811

Coleotechnites gibsonella

This record describes Coleotechnites gibsonella (species). Recorded family: Gelechiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Common Juniper Leafminer - Hodges#1811 - Coleotechnites gibsonella
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

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

Seasonal Activity

Pohl et al. (2010) reported July and August in Alberta, Canada. ( 3 )

Diet and Behavior

Diet: Gibson (1907) discovered and reared larvae on Juniperus communis . ( 4 )

Additional species information

Species notes from the sources

Etymology: Kearfott (1907) named the species in honor of Arthur Gibson who discovered and reared the species.

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Coleotechnites gibsonella. 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.

Explore Lepidoptera families and species →

Photos of Common Juniper Leafminer - Hodges#1811 (2)

Common Juniper Leafminer - Hodges#1811 - photo 1
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Common Juniper Leafminer - Hodges#1811 - photo 2
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Frequently Asked Questions About Common Juniper Leafminer - Hodges#1811

How big is Common Juniper Leafminer - Hodges#1811?

Kearfott (1907) listed a wingspan of 11 mm.

What does Common Juniper Leafminer - Hodges#1811 eat?

The diet of the Common Juniper Leafminer - Hodges#1811 includes Gibson (1907) discovered and reared larvae on Juniperus communis . ( 4 ).

When is Common Juniper Leafminer - Hodges#1811 active?

Common Juniper Leafminer - Hodges#1811: seasonal activity - Pohl et al. (2010) reported July and August in Alberta, Canada. ( 3 ).

How we use and review source data. Source count does not imply independent verification.

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.