Sumac Leaftier Moth - Hodges#2701
Episimus argutana
This record describes Episimus argutana (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
FW generally appears dull reddish or grayish brown, finely mottled in various shades of brown to blackish. In fresh specimens, the dull color may appear to be overlaid with purple, a point noted in the description by Forbes. A partial darker band about one-third of the wing length from the base often seems to form an angled, squarish blotch. There is some darker shading adjacent to the midpoint of the costa. Creamy white marks in the subterminal area are usually quite distinct.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Tortricoidea
- Family
- Tortricidae (Tortricid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Olethreutinae
- Tribe
- Olethreutini
- Genus
- Episimus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
e. NA, w. Coast to se AZ / W. Indies - Map – MPG
Seasonal Activity
Bivoltine on Block Island , RI, with adult records from late May through early September and peaks in abundance in late June and early July and in August. ( 3 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on various shrubs, especially Rhus (sumac, poison ivy) and Hamamelis (witch hazel) and, in the south, Euphorbia .
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet from Latin argutari meaning "disputed," perhaps for the anomalous nature of the larval habits as described in Clemens' notes.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Episimus argutana. 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 Sumac Leaftier Moth - Hodges#2701 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Tony-2 , Mike Quinn , Robert Lord Zimlich , Randy Hardy , Blocky
Frequently Asked Questions About Sumac Leaftier Moth - Hodges#2701
What is Sumac Leaftier Moth - Hodges#2701?
Sumac Leaftier Moth - Hodges#2701 (Episimus argutana) is a species in the family Tortricidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Sumac Leaftier Moth - Hodges#2701?
WS ≈ 13 mm
How do you identify Sumac Leaftier Moth - Hodges#2701?
FW generally appears dull reddish or grayish brown, finely mottled in various shades of brown to blackish. In fresh specimens, the dull color may appear to be overlaid with purple, a point noted in the description by Forbes. A partial darker band about one-third of the wing length from the base often seems to form an angled, squarish blotch. There is some darker shading adjacent to the midpoint of the costa. Creamy white marks in the subterminal area are usually quite distinct.
Where is Sumac Leaftier Moth - Hodges#2701 found?
Range: e. NA, w. Coast to se AZ / W. Indies - Map – MPG
What does Sumac Leaftier Moth - Hodges#2701 eat?
The diet of the Sumac Leaftier Moth - Hodges#2701 includes Larvae feed on various shrubs, especially Rhus (sumac, poison ivy) and Hamamelis (witch hazel) and, in the south, Euphorbia ..
When is Sumac Leaftier Moth - Hodges#2701 active?
Sumac Leaftier Moth - Hodges#2701: seasonal activity - Bivoltine on Block Island , RI, with adult records from late May through early September and peaks in abundance in late June and early July and in August. ( 3 ).