Grapholita lunatana - Hodges#3437
Ephippiphora lunatana
This record describes Ephippiphora lunatana (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult - males have pale grey to white hindwing, females dark brown hindwing. ( 3 )
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
Saskatchewan to British Columbia, Colorado and California. ( 3 ) Moth Photographers Group – distribution & flight-period chart
Seasonal Activity
Early spring. ( 3 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval feed and aestivate/hibernate in folded leaves of black vetch ( Vicia nigricans ) and pea ( Lathyrus ). ( 4 ) , ( 3 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet from Latin lunata meaning "crescent-shaped."
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Ephippiphora lunatana. 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 Grapholita lunatana - Hodges#3437 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by Robert Lord Zimlich , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Grapholita lunatana - Hodges#3437
What is Grapholita lunatana - Hodges#3437?
Grapholita lunatana - Hodges#3437 (Ephippiphora lunatana) is a species in the family Tortricidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Grapholita lunatana - Hodges#3437?
Wingspan 10-15 mm. , Forewing length: males 5.5-7.5 mm; females 4.3-5.3 mm.
How do you identify Grapholita lunatana - Hodges#3437?
Adult - males have pale grey to white hindwing, females dark brown hindwing. ( 3 )
Where is Grapholita lunatana - Hodges#3437 found?
Range: Saskatchewan to British Columbia, Colorado and California. ( 3 ) Moth Photographers Group – distribution & flight-period chart
What does Grapholita lunatana - Hodges#3437 eat?
The diet of the Grapholita lunatana - Hodges#3437 includes Larval feed and aestivate/hibernate in folded leaves of black vetch ( Vicia nigricans ) and pea ( Lathyrus ). ( 4 ) , ( 3 ).
When is Grapholita lunatana - Hodges#3437 active?
Grapholita lunatana - Hodges#3437: seasonal activity - Early spring. ( 3 ).