Dichomeris purpureofusca - Hodges#2308
Dichomeris purpureofusca
This record describes Dichomeris purpureofusca (species). Recorded family: Gelechiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult : Labial and maxillary palpi are all bright orange. Head and FW deep purplish fuscous, with a brownish or more ochreous tinge when worn. The head and fringes in some lights have a bronzy-grey metallic sheen. . HW brownish fuscous, with scarcely paler cilia. The two anterior pairs of legs correspond in color to the fore wings, the third pair to the hind wings.
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
Has been recorded from Nova Scotia to New Jersey, the Northwest Territories, Alberta and South Dakota
Seasonal Activity
Adults are on wing from June to August
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Dichomeris purpureofusca. 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 Dichomeris purpureofusca - Hodges#2308 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robert Lord Zimlich
Frequently Asked Questions About Dichomeris purpureofusca - Hodges#2308
What is Dichomeris purpureofusca - Hodges#2308?
Dichomeris purpureofusca - Hodges#2308 (Dichomeris purpureofusca) is a species in the family Gelechiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Dichomeris purpureofusca - Hodges#2308?
Wingspan ≈ 18 mm
How do you identify Dichomeris purpureofusca - Hodges#2308?
Adult : Labial and maxillary palpi are all bright orange. Head and FW deep purplish fuscous, with a brownish or more ochreous tinge when worn. The head and fringes in some lights have a bronzy-grey metallic sheen. . HW brownish fuscous, with scarcely paler cilia. The two anterior pairs of legs correspond in color to the fore wings, the third pair to the hind wings.
Where is Dichomeris purpureofusca - Hodges#2308 found?
Range: Has been recorded from Nova Scotia to New Jersey, the Northwest Territories, Alberta and South Dakota
When is Dichomeris purpureofusca - Hodges#2308 active?
Dichomeris purpureofusca - Hodges#2308: seasonal activity - Adults are on wing from June to August.