LepidopteraTortricidae – Tortricid Moths

Cydia palmetum - Hodges#3462

Cydia palmetum

This record describes Cydia palmetum (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Cydia palmetum - Hodges#3462 - Cydia palmetum
Contributed by Steve Nanz; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily
Tortricoidea
Family
Tortricidae (Tortricid Moths)
Subfamily
Olethreutinae
Tribe
Grapholitini
Genus
Cydia

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

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

Southern Florida. Type locality: near Royal Palm State Park, Florida.

Diet and Behavior

Diet: Larval host include: island marberry ( Ardisia escallonoides ). Florida silver palm ( Coccothrinax argentata ).

Additional species information

Species notes from the sources

Etymology: Specific epithet is Latin meaning "palm-grove."

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Cydia palmetum. 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 Cydia palmetum - Hodges#3462 (5)

Cydia palmetum - Hodges#3462 - photo 1
Contributed by Steve Nanz; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy
Cydia palmetum - Hodges#3462 - photo 2
Contributed by Steve Nanz; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy
Cydia palmetum - Hodges#3462 - photo 3
Contributed by Steve Nanz; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy
Cydia palmetum - Hodges#3462 - photo 4
Contributed by Steve Nanz; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy
Cydia palmetum - Hodges#3462 - photo 5
Contributed by Steve Nanz; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy

Photo credits: Contributed by Steve Nanz; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy

Frequently Asked Questions About Cydia palmetum - Hodges#3462

How big is Cydia palmetum - Hodges#3462?

Wingspan 12-14 mm.

Where is Cydia palmetum - Hodges#3462 found?

Range: Southern Florida. Type locality: near Royal Palm State Park, Florida.

What does Cydia palmetum - Hodges#3462 eat?

The diet of the Cydia palmetum - Hodges#3462 includes Larval host include: island marberry ( Ardisia escallonoides ). Florida silver palm ( Coccothrinax argentata )..

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

Photo credits: Contributed by Steve Nanz; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.