Dichomeris scrutaria - Hodges#2291.3
Dichomeris scrutaria
This record describes Dichomeris scrutaria (species). Recorded family: Gelechiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Description can be found in MONA Fascicle 7-1 at link in citations below. Key to species in MONA Fascicle 7-1 notes Terminal, dark-gray part of forewing separated from pale area by black line... It should be noted that scrutaria is the only Dichomeris species covered by the fascicle that meets this criteria and has the anterior half of forewing yellow or orange with reddish orange or brown between the veins and contrasting with brown posterior half of wing.
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
holotype and paratypes from Louisiana
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Dichomeris scrutaria. 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 scrutaria - Hodges#2291.3 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Dichomeris scrutaria - Hodges#2291.3
What is Dichomeris scrutaria - Hodges#2291.3?
Dichomeris scrutaria - Hodges#2291.3 (Dichomeris scrutaria) is a species in the family Gelechiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Dichomeris scrutaria - Hodges#2291.3?
forewing length 6.3 to 7.8 mm
How do you identify Dichomeris scrutaria - Hodges#2291.3?
Description can be found in MONA Fascicle 7-1 at link in citations below.
Where is Dichomeris scrutaria - Hodges#2291.3 found?
Range: holotype and paratypes from Louisiana