Ornate Eucosma - Hodges#2951
Eucosma ornatula
This record describes Eucosma ornatula (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The original description as Thiodia ornatula Heinrich, is available in PDF and online in the print references below.
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
Scattered records from North Dakota to Texas and eastward. ( 3 ) , ( 4 ) Type locality: Oak Station, PA (F. Marloff , 21 Jun.-15 Aug.).
Seasonal Activity
The adults are most common from June to September. ( 4 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The larval host plant is Lactuca . ( 5 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet from Latin meaning "ornate."
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Eucosma ornatula. 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 Ornate Eucosma - Hodges#2951 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , marcie oconnor , Randy Hardy , Blocky
Frequently Asked Questions About Ornate Eucosma - Hodges#2951
What is Ornate Eucosma - Hodges#2951?
Ornate Eucosma - Hodges#2951 (Eucosma ornatula) is a species in the family Tortricidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Ornate Eucosma - Hodges#2951?
The wingspan is 12.5-15 mm.
How do you identify Ornate Eucosma - Hodges#2951?
The original description as Thiodia ornatula Heinrich, is available in PDF and online in the print references below.
Where is Ornate Eucosma - Hodges#2951 found?
Range: Scattered records from North Dakota to Texas and eastward. ( 3 ) , ( 4 ) Type locality: Oak Station, PA (F. Marloff , 21 Jun.-15 Aug.).
What does Ornate Eucosma - Hodges#2951 eat?
The diet of the Ornate Eucosma - Hodges#2951 includes The larval host plant is Lactuca . ( 5 ).
When is Ornate Eucosma - Hodges#2951 active?
Ornate Eucosma - Hodges#2951: seasonal activity - The adults are most common from June to September. ( 4 ).