Orange Spruce Needleminer Moth - Hodges#1826
Coleotechnites piceaella
This record describes Coleotechnites piceaella (species). Recorded family: Gelechiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Original description is online as Recurvaria piceaella Kearfott. Specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD). Considered a pest of blue spruce.
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
Across southern Canada and from Colorado east through much of the northeastern United. States. Introduced to Great Britian and is now found throughout Europe. Type locality: USA: New Jersey, Montclair. Moth Photographers Group - large range map with some collection locations and dates.
Seasonal Activity
Most records of adults are from April to October.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: All spruce species including: blue spruce, Picea pungens Engelm.
Life History
Eggs are laid singly, or rarely, in groups of 2-3 either between the axis of current year's needles, in insect-damaged or mechanically-damaged needles or cones, or staminate flowers. The larvae feed as miners in healthy needles. ( 4 ) Overwinter as larvae ( 4 ) One generation per year. ( 4 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet for the host plant genus ( Picea ).
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Coleotechnites piceaella. 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 Orange Spruce Needleminer Moth - Hodges#1826 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy , Marci Hess
Frequently Asked Questions About Orange Spruce Needleminer Moth - Hodges#1826
What is Orange Spruce Needleminer Moth - Hodges#1826?
Orange Spruce Needleminer Moth - Hodges#1826 (Coleotechnites piceaella) is a species in the family Gelechiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Orange Spruce Needleminer Moth - Hodges#1826?
Wingspan 9.5-12 mm.
How do you identify Orange Spruce Needleminer Moth - Hodges#1826?
Original description is online as Recurvaria piceaella Kearfott. Specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD).
Where is Orange Spruce Needleminer Moth - Hodges#1826 found?
Range: Across southern Canada and from Colorado east through much of the northeastern United. States. Introduced to Great Britian and is now found throughout Europe. Type locality: USA: New Jersey, Montclair. Moth Photographers Group - large range map with some collection locations and dates.
What does Orange Spruce Needleminer Moth - Hodges#1826 eat?
The diet of the Orange Spruce Needleminer Moth - Hodges#1826 includes All spruce species including: blue spruce, Picea pungens Engelm..
When is Orange Spruce Needleminer Moth - Hodges#1826 active?
Orange Spruce Needleminer Moth - Hodges#1826: seasonal activity - Most records of adults are from April to October..
What is the life cycle of a Orange Spruce Needleminer Moth - Hodges#1826?
Eggs are laid singly, or rarely, in groups of 2-3 either between the axis of current year's needles, in insect-damaged or mechanically-damaged needles or cones, or staminate flowers. The larvae feed as miners in healthy needles. ( 4 ) Overwinter as larvae ( 4 ) One generation per year. ( 4 )