LepidopteraTortricidae – Tortricid Moths

Epinotia subviridis - Hodges#3298

Epinotia subviridis

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

Identification and Appearance

Epinotia subviridis - Hodges#3298 - Epinotia subviridis
Contributed by John F. Carr; Additional contributions by 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

Records from British Columbia to California. Type locality: San Diego, California.

Diet and Behavior

Diet: Heinrich listed the larval host as Monterey cypress ( Hesperocyparis macrocarpa ). Other hosts include false cypress ( Chamaecyparis ), juniper ( Juniperus ) and arborvitae ( Thuja ).

Additional species information

Species notes from the sources

Etymology: Specific epithet from Latin meaning "slightly green" for the "pale yellowish green tint on the lighter areas of the fore wing."

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Epinotia subviridis. 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 Epinotia subviridis - Hodges#3298 (5)

Epinotia subviridis - Hodges#3298 - photo 1
Contributed by John F. Carr; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy
Epinotia subviridis - Hodges#3298 - photo 2
Contributed by John F. Carr; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy
Epinotia subviridis - Hodges#3298 - photo 3
Contributed by John F. Carr; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy
Epinotia subviridis - Hodges#3298 - photo 4
Contributed by John F. Carr; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy
Epinotia subviridis - Hodges#3298 - photo 5
Contributed by John F. Carr; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy

Photo credits: Contributed by John F. Carr; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy

Frequently Asked Questions About Epinotia subviridis - Hodges#3298

How big is Epinotia subviridis - Hodges#3298?

Wingspan 16-20 mm.

Where is Epinotia subviridis - Hodges#3298 found?

Range: Records from British Columbia to California. Type locality: San Diego, California.

What does Epinotia subviridis - Hodges#3298 eat?

The diet of the Epinotia subviridis - Hodges#3298 includes Heinrich listed the larval host as Monterey cypress ( Hesperocyparis macrocarpa ). Other hosts include false cypress ( Chamaecyparis ), juniper ( Juniperus ) and arborvitae ( Thuja )..

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

Photo credits: Contributed by John F. Carr; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.