LepidopteraTortricidae – Tortricid Moths

Solidago Root Moth - Hodges#3438

Ephippiphora eclipsana

This record describes Ephippiphora eclipsana (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Solidago Root Moth - Hodges#3438 - Ephippiphora eclipsana
Contributed by Lynette Elliott; Additional contributions by anitagould , Robert Lord Zimlich , Randy Hardy

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily
Tortricoidea
Family
Tortricidae (Tortricid Moths)
Subfamily
Olethreutinae
Tribe
Grapholitini
Genus
Ephippiphora

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

Records from Iowa to Pennsylvania, south to North Carolina and Kentucky. , Type locality: Texas ( Boll ).

Diet and Behavior

Diet: Larval host is false indigo ( Amorpha ). ( 4 )

Additional species information

Species notes from the sources

Etymology: Specific epithet means "eclipse," perhaps for the "moon lines" (Mondlinien) in Zeller's description.

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Ephippiphora eclipsana. 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.

Explore Lepidoptera families and species →

Photos of Solidago Root Moth - Hodges#3438 (5)

Solidago Root Moth - Hodges#3438 - photo 1
Contributed by Lynette Elliott; Additional contributions by anitagould , Robert Lord Zimlich , Randy Hardy
Solidago Root Moth - Hodges#3438 - photo 2
Contributed by Lynette Elliott; Additional contributions by anitagould , Robert Lord Zimlich , Randy Hardy
Solidago Root Moth - Hodges#3438 - photo 3
Contributed by Lynette Elliott; Additional contributions by anitagould , Robert Lord Zimlich , Randy Hardy
Solidago Root Moth - Hodges#3438 - photo 4
Contributed by Lynette Elliott; Additional contributions by anitagould , Robert Lord Zimlich , Randy Hardy
Solidago Root Moth - Hodges#3438 - photo 5
Contributed by Lynette Elliott; Additional contributions by anitagould , Robert Lord Zimlich , Randy Hardy

Photo credits: Contributed by Lynette Elliott; Additional contributions by anitagould , Robert Lord Zimlich , Randy Hardy

Frequently Asked Questions About Solidago Root Moth - Hodges#3438

How big is Solidago Root Moth - Hodges#3438?

Wingspan 9-15 mm.

Where is Solidago Root Moth - Hodges#3438 found?

Range: Records from Iowa to Pennsylvania, south to North Carolina and Kentucky. , Type locality: Texas ( Boll ).

What does Solidago Root Moth - Hodges#3438 eat?

The diet of the Solidago Root Moth - Hodges#3438 includes Larval host is false indigo ( Amorpha ). ( 4 ).

How we use and review source data. Source count does not imply independent verification.

Photo credits: Contributed by Lynette Elliott; Additional contributions by anitagould , Robert Lord Zimlich , Randy Hardy. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.