Giant Eucosma - Hodges#3098
Eucosma giganteana
This record describes Eucosma giganteana (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Tortricoidea
- Family
- Tortricidae (Tortricid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Olethreutinae
- Tribe
- Eucosmini
- Genus
- Eucosma
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Heppner reported the range to include North Carolina to Florida, Minnesota to Texas. The Moth Photographers Group map displays a larger range to include Pennsylvania, North Dakota and New Mexico. Holotype collected 28 July 1922, Liberty County, Texas (F. Bottimer). Syntypes collected in Kansas (G.F. Gaumer) and Iowa (A.W. Hoffmeister ) but were lost; Psuedotype in USNM.
Seasonal Activity
Moth Photographers Group reports January; April to September. Heppner reported April to June in Florida.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Heppner (2003) reported the larvae feed on Silphium perfoliatum (cup plant). ( 3 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet means "gigantic" for the large size of this tortricid.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Eucosma giganteana. 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 Giant Eucosma - Hodges#3098 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ethan Kistler; Additional contributions by Chuck Entz , Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Giant Eucosma - Hodges#3098
How big is Giant Eucosma - Hodges#3098?
Riley listed the wingspan 34-38 mm.
Where is Giant Eucosma - Hodges#3098 found?
Range: Heppner reported the range to include North Carolina to Florida, Minnesota to Texas. The Moth Photographers Group map displays a larger range to include Pennsylvania, North Dakota and New Mexico. Holotype collected 28 July 1922, Liberty County, Texas (F. Bottimer). Syntypes collected in Kansas (G.F. Gaumer) and Iowa (A.W. Hoffmeister ) but were lost; Psuedotype in USNM.
What does Giant Eucosma - Hodges#3098 eat?
The diet of the Giant Eucosma - Hodges#3098 includes Heppner (2003) reported the larvae feed on Silphium perfoliatum (cup plant). ( 3 ).
When is Giant Eucosma - Hodges#3098 active?
Giant Eucosma - Hodges#3098: seasonal activity - Moth Photographers Group reports January; April to September. Heppner reported April to June in Florida..