Eucosma mormonensis - Hodges#2941
Eucosma mormonensis
This record describes Eucosma mormonensis (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
Western North America. ( 4 ) Holotype collected in Salt Lake City, Utah (C.N. Ainslie ). Paratypes collected in Alamosa, Colorado (E.J. Oslar ) and Denver, Colorado (E.J. Oslar). Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
Seasonal Activity
Adults are most common from May through August.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The larvae feed on the young seed heads of Grindelia squarrosa (Pursh) Dunal. (curlycup gumweed) ( 5 )
Life History
Middle and late instars are host for the Braconid wasp Bracon mellitor . ( 5 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet for the the Mormon Church, headquartered at Salt Lake City where the holotype male was collected.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Eucosma mormonensis. 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 Eucosma mormonensis - Hodges#2941 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Eucosma mormonensis - Hodges#2941
How big is Eucosma mormonensis - Hodges#2941?
Forewing length 6.3-8.7 mm. ( 3 )
Where is Eucosma mormonensis - Hodges#2941 found?
Range: Western North America. ( 4 ) Holotype collected in Salt Lake City, Utah (C.N. Ainslie ). Paratypes collected in Alamosa, Colorado (E.J. Oslar ) and Denver, Colorado (E.J. Oslar). Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
What does Eucosma mormonensis - Hodges#2941 eat?
The diet of the Eucosma mormonensis - Hodges#2941 includes The larvae feed on the young seed heads of Grindelia squarrosa (Pursh) Dunal. (curlycup gumweed) ( 5 ).
When is Eucosma mormonensis - Hodges#2941 active?
Eucosma mormonensis - Hodges#2941: seasonal activity - Adults are most common from May through August..
What is the life cycle of a Eucosma mormonensis - Hodges#2941?
Middle and late instars are host for the Braconid wasp Bracon mellitor . ( 5 )