Eucosma sombreana - Hodges#3127
Eucosma sombreana
This record describes Eucosma sombreana (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult - forewing brownish-gray, dusted with pale scales; faint, slightly paler oblique band in median area, bordered on both sides by diffuse dark shading, but showing little contrast against ground color (overall color fairly uniform); hindwing slightly paler than forewing, unmarked. Genitalia:
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 eastern half of the United States and southern Ontario. ( 3 ) Paratypes: Tryon, NC ( Fiske , 14 Jul.); Chicago, IL (Kwiat ( 4 ) ); Cincinnati, OH (Miss Braun , 2 Aug,); Scranton, PA ( Lister , 26 Jul.); Plummers Island & Cabin John Bridge, MD ( Busck , 1-10 Aug.); Montclair, NJ (Kearfott, 4 Aug.).
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval hosts are giant sunflower ( Helianthus giganteus ) and Jerusalem artichoke ( Helianthus tuberosus ).
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Eucosma sombreana. 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 sombreana - Hodges#3127 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Randy Hardy , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Eucosma sombreana - Hodges#3127
What is Eucosma sombreana - Hodges#3127?
Eucosma sombreana - Hodges#3127 (Eucosma sombreana) is a species in the family Tortricidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Eucosma sombreana - Hodges#3127?
Wingspan 19-27 mm. ,
How do you identify Eucosma sombreana - Hodges#3127?
Adult - forewing brownish-gray, dusted with pale scales; faint, slightly paler oblique band in median area, bordered on both sides by diffuse dark shading, but showing little contrast against ground color (overall color fairly uniform); hindwing slightly paler than forewing, unmarked. Genitalia:
Where is Eucosma sombreana - Hodges#3127 found?
Range: Records from eastern half of the United States and southern Ontario. ( 3 ) Paratypes: Tryon, NC ( Fiske , 14 Jul.); Chicago, IL (Kwiat ( 4 ) ); Cincinnati, OH (Miss Braun , 2 Aug,); Scranton, PA ( Lister , 26 Jul.); Plummers Island & Cabin John Bridge, MD ( Busck , 1-10 Aug.); Montclair, NJ (Kearfott, 4 Aug.).
What does Eucosma sombreana - Hodges#3127 eat?
The diet of the Eucosma sombreana - Hodges#3127 includes Larval hosts are giant sunflower ( Helianthus giganteus ) and Jerusalem artichoke ( Helianthus tuberosus )..