Shining Dichomeris - Hodges#2289
Dichomeris ochripalpella
This record describes Dichomeris ochripalpella (species). Recorded family: Gelechiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult - easily recognized by its light orange labial palps.
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
Habitat
Larvae found in association with aster and goldenrod species.
Geographic Range
Records from the eastern United States and southeastern Canada, apparently absent from the southeast. ( 3 )
Seasonal Activity
Adult moths occur from June to August, but mainly in July.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Host plants appear to be members of the Compositae.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific name ochripalpella is Greek meaning "ochreous palps."
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Dichomeris ochripalpella. 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 Shining Dichomeris - Hodges#2289 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Robert Lord Zimlich , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Shining Dichomeris - Hodges#2289
What is Shining Dichomeris - Hodges#2289?
Shining Dichomeris - Hodges#2289 (Dichomeris ochripalpella) is a species in the family Gelechiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Shining Dichomeris - Hodges#2289?
Total length 7-8 mm.
How do you identify Shining Dichomeris - Hodges#2289?
Adult - easily recognized by its light orange labial palps.
Where is Shining Dichomeris - Hodges#2289 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Larvae found in association with aster and goldenrod species. |
| Range | Records from the eastern United States and southeastern Canada, apparently absent from the southeast. ( 3 ) |
What does Shining Dichomeris - Hodges#2289 eat?
The diet of the Shining Dichomeris - Hodges#2289 includes Host plants appear to be members of the Compositae..
When is Shining Dichomeris - Hodges#2289 active?
Shining Dichomeris - Hodges#2289: seasonal activity - Adult moths occur from June to August, but mainly in July..