Pale-headed Eucosma - Hodges#2927
Eucosma ochrocephala
This record describes Eucosma ochrocephala (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult - forewing light brownish-yellow with diffuse brown oval ring forming a large indistinct patch in median area; short brown diagonal streaks along costa, especially noticeable near apex; two dark longitudinal dashes usually visible in subterminal area; hindwing gray with pale fringe; head pale yellow to whitish, noticeably paler than forewing color.
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
Records from Manitoba and Oklahoma, east to Maine and Maryland. ( 4 ) Type locality: Loveland, Colorado (W.G. Smith ).
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly from July to September.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on seeds of cocklebur ( Xanthium spp.). ( 5 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: ochrocephala : from the Greek "ochros" (pale or pale yellow) + "kephale" (head); probably refers to the color of the adult's head, and is the origin of the suggested common name Pale-headed Phaneta.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Eucosma ochrocephala. 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 Pale-headed Eucosma - Hodges#2927 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy , Kyhl Austin
Frequently Asked Questions About Pale-headed Eucosma - Hodges#2927
What is Pale-headed Eucosma - Hodges#2927?
Pale-headed Eucosma - Hodges#2927 (Eucosma ochrocephala) is a species in the family Tortricidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Pale-headed Eucosma - Hodges#2927?
Wingspan about 15-18 mm. ( 4 ) , ( 3 )
How do you identify Pale-headed Eucosma - Hodges#2927?
Adult - forewing light brownish-yellow with diffuse brown oval ring forming a large indistinct patch in median area; short brown diagonal streaks along costa, especially noticeable near apex; two dark longitudinal dashes usually visible in subterminal area; hindwing gray with pale fringe; head pale yellow to whitish, noticeably paler than forewing color.
Where is Pale-headed Eucosma - Hodges#2927 found?
Range: Records from Manitoba and Oklahoma, east to Maine and Maryland. ( 4 ) Type locality: Loveland, Colorado (W.G. Smith ).
What does Pale-headed Eucosma - Hodges#2927 eat?
The diet of the Pale-headed Eucosma - Hodges#2927 includes Larvae feed on seeds of cocklebur ( Xanthium spp.). ( 5 ).
When is Pale-headed Eucosma - Hodges#2927 active?
Pale-headed Eucosma - Hodges#2927: seasonal activity - Adults fly from July to September..