Orange webworm moth - Hodges#2292
Dichomeris citrifoliella
This record describes Dichomeris citrifoliella (species). Recorded family: Gelechiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Per ventral photograph. The ventral side of the palps is black. Ann Hendrickson. Also can be noticed in a lateral view.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Gelechioidea
- Family
- Gelechiidae (Twirler Moths)
- Subfamily
- Dichomeridinae
- Genus
- Dichomeris
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Heppner (2003) reported the range to include Michigan to Florida, Wisconsin to Texas ( 4 ) . ( 5 )
Seasonal Activity
The adults appear to be most common in the months of April to September. Hepppner reported adults year round in Florida.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Hepppner (2003) reported the following host plants. ( 5 ) Citrus sp. Ptelea trifoliata Zanthoxy sp.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Dichomeris citrifoliella. 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 webworm moth - Hodges#2292 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by A. Hendrickson
Frequently Asked Questions About Orange webworm moth - Hodges#2292
What is Orange webworm moth - Hodges#2292?
Orange webworm moth - Hodges#2292 (Dichomeris citrifoliella) is a species in the family Gelechiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Orange webworm moth - Hodges#2292?
Forbes (1923) reported the wingspan as 18 mm. ( 3 )
How do you identify Orange webworm moth - Hodges#2292?
Per ventral photograph. The ventral side of the palps is black. Ann Hendrickson. Also can be noticed in a lateral view.
Where is Orange webworm moth - Hodges#2292 found?
Range: Heppner (2003) reported the range to include Michigan to Florida, Wisconsin to Texas ( 4 ) . ( 5 )
What does Orange webworm moth - Hodges#2292 eat?
The diet of the Orange webworm moth - Hodges#2292 includes Hepppner (2003) reported the following host plants. ( 5 ) Citrus sp. Ptelea trifoliata Zanthoxy sp..
When is Orange webworm moth - Hodges#2292 active?
Orange webworm moth - Hodges#2292: seasonal activity - The adults appear to be most common in the months of April to September. Hepppner reported adults year round in Florida..