Episimus nesiotes - Hodges#2702.3
Episimus nesiotes
This record describes Episimus nesiotes (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult - see original description in Print References and Heppner re-description. ,
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
Southern Florida, south into Cuba and the Caribbean Basin. One record in Alpine, Texas.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Known larval hosts include manchineel ( Hippomane mancinella ), island marlberry ( Ardisia escallonioides ) and graceful handmat ( Chamaesyce hypericifolia ).
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet is Latin meaning "islander" for this moth discovered in St. Croix.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Episimus nesiotes. 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 Episimus nesiotes - Hodges#2702.3 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Steve Nanz; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Episimus nesiotes - Hodges#2702.3
What is Episimus nesiotes - Hodges#2702.3?
Episimus nesiotes - Hodges#2702.3 (Episimus nesiotes) is a species in the family Tortricidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Episimus nesiotes - Hodges#2702.3?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | Wingspan 14-17 mm. |
| Forewing | Forewing length 5.2-7.1 mm. |
How do you identify Episimus nesiotes - Hodges#2702.3?
Adult - see original description in Print References and Heppner re-description. ,
Where is Episimus nesiotes - Hodges#2702.3 found?
Range: Southern Florida, south into Cuba and the Caribbean Basin. One record in Alpine, Texas.
What does Episimus nesiotes - Hodges#2702.3 eat?
The diet of the Episimus nesiotes - Hodges#2702.3 includes Known larval hosts include manchineel ( Hippomane mancinella ), island marlberry ( Ardisia escallonioides ) and graceful handmat ( Chamaesyce hypericifolia )..