LepidopteraTortricidae – Tortricid Moths

Birch Shoot Borer Moth - Hodges#3304

Epinotia solicitana

This record describes Epinotia solicitana (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Birch Shoot Borer Moth - Hodges#3304 - Epinotia solicitana
Contributed by Robert Lord Zimlich; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , Randy Hardy

Classification

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

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

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

Across northern North America. ( 3 )

Diet and Behavior

Diet: Larval hosts include: ( 4 ) Pacific madrobe ( Arbutus menziesii ) dwarf birch ( Betula nana ) paper birch ( Betula papyrifera ) gray birch ( Betula populifolia ) quaking aspen ( Populus tremuloides ) Oregon white oak ( Quercus garryana ) willow ( Salix )

Additional species information

Species notes from the sources

Etymology: Specific epithet from Latin solicitus meaning "restless."

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Epinotia solicitana. 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 Birch Shoot Borer Moth - Hodges#3304 (2)

Birch Shoot Borer Moth - Hodges#3304 - photo 1
Contributed by Robert Lord Zimlich; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , Randy Hardy
Birch Shoot Borer Moth - Hodges#3304 - photo 2
Contributed by Robert Lord Zimlich; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , Randy Hardy

Photo credits: Contributed by Robert Lord Zimlich; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , Randy Hardy

Frequently Asked Questions About Birch Shoot Borer Moth - Hodges#3304

How big is Birch Shoot Borer Moth - Hodges#3304?

Wingspan 13-14 mm.

Where is Birch Shoot Borer Moth - Hodges#3304 found?

Range: Across northern North America. ( 3 )

What does Birch Shoot Borer Moth - Hodges#3304 eat?

The diet of the Birch Shoot Borer Moth - Hodges#3304 includes Larval hosts include: ( 4 ) Pacific madrobe ( Arbutus menziesii ) dwarf birch ( Betula nana ) paper birch ( Betula papyrifera ) gray birch ( Betula populifolia ) quaking aspen ( Populus tremuloides ) Oregon white oak ( Quercus garryana ) willow ( Salix ).

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

Photo credits: Contributed by Robert Lord Zimlich; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , Randy Hardy. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.