Dichomeris stipendiaria - Hodges#2304
Dichomeris stipendiaria
This record describes Dichomeris stipendiaria (species). Recorded family: Gelechiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Larva - pale whitish tinted green or grey. Head and first thoratic segment shiny black, second thoratic segment velvety black, anterior half of third segment white with five black longitudinal dashes (Braun, 1925).
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
Records from Utah and the Pacific Northwest. ,
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Braun collected and reared larvae on golenrod ( Solidago ).
Life History
Larva makes a cylindrical roll of host leaf where the upper leaf surface is rolled inside (Braun, 1925).
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific name stipendiaria is Latin meaning "mercenary."
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Dichomeris stipendiaria. 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 stipendiaria - Hodges#2304 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Steve Nanz; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Dichomeris stipendiaria - Hodges#2304
What is Dichomeris stipendiaria - Hodges#2304?
Dichomeris stipendiaria - Hodges#2304 (Dichomeris stipendiaria) is a species in the family Gelechiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Dichomeris stipendiaria - Hodges#2304?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | Wingspan 17-18 mm (Braun, 1925). |
| Forewing | Forewing length 6-9 mm. |
How do you identify Dichomeris stipendiaria - Hodges#2304?
Larva - pale whitish tinted green or grey. Head and first thoratic segment shiny black, second thoratic segment velvety black, anterior half of third segment white with five black longitudinal dashes (Braun, 1925).
Where is Dichomeris stipendiaria - Hodges#2304 found?
Range: Records from Utah and the Pacific Northwest. ,
What does Dichomeris stipendiaria - Hodges#2304 eat?
The diet of the Dichomeris stipendiaria - Hodges#2304 includes Braun collected and reared larvae on golenrod ( Solidago )..
What is the life cycle of a Dichomeris stipendiaria - Hodges#2304?
Larva makes a cylindrical roll of host leaf where the upper leaf surface is rolled inside (Braun, 1925).