Depressaria alienella - Hodges#0926
Depressaria alienella
This record describes Depressaria alienella (species). Recorded family: Depressariidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing dark brownish-gray with faint pale discal spot; indistinct blackish marks along outer half of costa, at base, and along main (cubital) vein of wing; hingwing pale gray with light brownish shading in outer half; top of head and thorax pale gray, contrasting sharply against dark forewing color The geographic locality of the type specimen is uncertain; it was collected either in Rogue River, Oregon or in Kaslo, British Columbia (see page 12 of PDF doc ).
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Gelechioidea
- Family
- Depressariidae
- Subfamily
- Depressariinae
- Genus
- Depressaria
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
boreal forest; adults are nocturnal and come to light
Geographic Range
Yukon to Nova Scotia, south to New England, Arizona, and California
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from July to September
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on flowers of yarrow ( Achillea spp.) and sagebrush or wormwood ( Artemisia spp.)
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Depressaria alienella. 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 Depressaria alienella - Hodges#0926 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Dave Webb
Frequently Asked Questions About Depressaria alienella - Hodges#0926
What is Depressaria alienella - Hodges#0926?
Depressaria alienella - Hodges#0926 (Depressaria alienella) is a species in the family Depressariidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Depressaria alienella - Hodges#0926?
wingspan about 18 mm, based on photo by Jim Vargo at MPG
How do you identify Depressaria alienella - Hodges#0926?
Adult: forewing dark brownish-gray with faint pale discal spot; indistinct blackish marks along outer half of costa, at base, and along main (cubital) vein of wing; hingwing pale gray with light brownish shading in outer half; top of head and thorax pale gray, contrasting sharply against dark forewing color
Where is Depressaria alienella - Hodges#0926 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | boreal forest; adults are nocturnal and come to light |
| Range | Yukon to Nova Scotia, south to New England, Arizona, and California |
What does Depressaria alienella - Hodges#0926 eat?
The diet of the Depressaria alienella - Hodges#0926 includes larvae feed on flowers of yarrow ( Achillea spp.) and sagebrush or wormwood ( Artemisia spp.).
When is Depressaria alienella - Hodges#0926 active?
Depressaria alienella - Hodges#0926: seasonal activity - adults fly from July to September.