Ethmia macelhosiella - Hodges#0982
Ethmia macelhosiella
This record describes Ethmia macelhosiella (species). Recorded family: Elachistidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Narrow gray forewings having a wide irregular black streak from base to apex. Hindwing is pale brown to dirty white. ( 3 )
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Gelechioidea
- Family
- Elachistidae (Grass Miner Moths)
- Subfamily
- Ethmiinae
- Genus
- Ethmia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Texas to Ohio, Pennsylvania and Maryland. Moth Photographers Group - large range map with some collection dates. Type locality: St. Louis, MO (H.A. McElhose).
Seasonal Activity
Most records of adults are from May and October to November.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval host is Phacelia Juss. sp. ( 3 ) , ( 4 )
Life History
The larvae bore about .25" into the bark to pupate. ( 3 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Named in honor of Henry A. McElhose (1867-1946) of St. Louis "who sent me this and other interesting microlepidoptera."
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Ethmia macelhosiella. 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 Ethmia macelhosiella - Hodges#0982 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Sean McCann; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Ethmia macelhosiella - Hodges#0982
What is Ethmia macelhosiella - Hodges#0982?
Ethmia macelhosiella - Hodges#0982 (Ethmia macelhosiella) is a species in the family Elachistidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Ethmia macelhosiella - Hodges#0982?
Forewing length: ( 3 ) ♂ 12.3-12.7 mm. ♀ 10.7 mm.
How do you identify Ethmia macelhosiella - Hodges#0982?
Narrow gray forewings having a wide irregular black streak from base to apex. Hindwing is pale brown to dirty white. ( 3 )
Where is Ethmia macelhosiella - Hodges#0982 found?
Range: Texas to Ohio, Pennsylvania and Maryland. Moth Photographers Group - large range map with some collection dates. Type locality: St. Louis, MO (H.A. McElhose).
What does Ethmia macelhosiella - Hodges#0982 eat?
The diet of the Ethmia macelhosiella - Hodges#0982 includes Larval host is Phacelia Juss. sp. ( 3 ) , ( 4 ).
When is Ethmia macelhosiella - Hodges#0982 active?
Ethmia macelhosiella - Hodges#0982: seasonal activity - Most records of adults are from May and October to November..
What is the life cycle of a Ethmia macelhosiella - Hodges#0982?
The larvae bore about .25" into the bark to pupate. ( 3 )