LepidopteraCosmopterigidae – Cosmet Moths

Cosmopterix dapifera - Hodges#1479

Cosmopterix dapifera

This record describes Cosmopterix dapifera (species). Recorded family: Cosmopterigidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Cosmopterix dapifera - Hodges#1479 - Cosmopterix dapifera
Contributed by Kyhl Austin

See description and figures here .

Identification notes

See description and figures here .

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily
Gelechioidea
Family
Cosmopterigidae (Cosmet Moths)
Subfamily
Cosmopteriginae
Genus
Cosmopterix

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

From Tennessee and northwest Arkansas south to central Florida and south-central Arizona (Hodges, 1978 ) . Also occurs in North Carolina.

Seasonal Activity

July to September and January .

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Cosmopterix dapifera. 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 Cosmopterix dapifera - Hodges#1479 (2)

Cosmopterix dapifera - Hodges#1479 - photo 1
Contributed by Kyhl Austin
Cosmopterix dapifera - Hodges#1479 - photo 2
Contributed by Kyhl Austin

Photo credits: Contributed by Kyhl Austin

Frequently Asked Questions About Cosmopterix dapifera - Hodges#1479

What is Cosmopterix dapifera - Hodges#1479?

Cosmopterix dapifera - Hodges#1479 (Cosmopterix dapifera) is a species in the family Cosmopterigidae, within the order Lepidoptera.

How big is Cosmopterix dapifera - Hodges#1479?

3.6-3.8 mm .

How do you identify Cosmopterix dapifera - Hodges#1479?

See description and figures here .

Where is Cosmopterix dapifera - Hodges#1479 found?

Range: From Tennessee and northwest Arkansas south to central Florida and south-central Arizona (Hodges, 1978 ) . Also occurs in North Carolina.

When is Cosmopterix dapifera - Hodges#1479 active?

Cosmopterix dapifera - Hodges#1479: seasonal activity - July to September and January ..

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

Photo credits: Contributed by Kyhl Austin. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.