Aster-head Eucosma Moth - Hodges#2936
Eucosma tomonana
This record describes Eucosma tomonana (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
forewings of pale gray, somewhat brownish in tone, with fine striations of slightly darker gray, most evident towards the costa. The most eye-catching features are the two large blackish spots at the inner margin. The innermost spot forms half a crescent shape; the outer spot forms an approximate half-circle. When the moths is at rest, with wings closed, it appears to have a dark crescent followed by a dark circle in the middle of its back. In some specimens, these dark spots appear to be partially bordered by a narrow pale beige to whitish line. There are a few small blackish dots or spots near the anal angle [description by Lynn Scott ] 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
Northeastern North America. ( 6 ) Moth Photographers Group map ( 6 )
Seasonal Activity
Forbes (1923) reported the flight period as August to September. ( 7 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on flower heads of aster (Rings, R.W. and Metzler, E.H. 2002. The Lepidoptera of Portage County, Ohio. OARDC Research Bulletin 1195) Heinrich (1923) reported the host was unknown. ( 4 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet is part of a series of Kearfott names originating from various alphabetical rhyming schemes with no meaning, often derided by subsequent authors as "nonsense names." See Brown (2001) for a humorous take on this "barbarous" practice. ( 5 ) , ( 3 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Eucosma tomonana. 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 Aster-head Eucosma Moth - Hodges#2936 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Robin McLeod , Tony-2 , Maury Heiman , Robert Lord Zimlich , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Aster-head Eucosma Moth - Hodges#2936
What is Aster-head Eucosma Moth - Hodges#2936?
Aster-head Eucosma Moth - Hodges#2936 (Eucosma tomonana) is a species in the family Tortricidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Aster-head Eucosma Moth - Hodges#2936?
Heinrich (1923) listed the wingspan 12-15 mm. ( 4 )
How do you identify Aster-head Eucosma Moth - Hodges#2936?
forewings of pale gray, somewhat brownish in tone, with fine striations of slightly darker gray, most evident towards the costa. The most eye-catching features are the two large blackish spots at the inner margin. The innermost spot forms half a crescent shape; the outer spot forms an approximate half-circle. When the moths is at rest, with wings closed, it appears to have a dark crescent followed by a dark circle in the middle of its back. In some specimens, these dark spots appear to be partially bordered by a narrow pale beige to whitish line. There are a few small blackish dots or spots near the anal angle [description by Lynn Scott ] genitalia
Where is Aster-head Eucosma Moth - Hodges#2936 found?
Range: Northeastern North America. ( 6 ) Moth Photographers Group map ( 6 )
What does Aster-head Eucosma Moth - Hodges#2936 eat?
The diet of the Aster-head Eucosma Moth - Hodges#2936 includes larvae feed on flower heads of aster (Rings, R.W. and Metzler, E.H. 2002. The Lepidoptera of Portage County, Ohio. OARDC Research Bulletin 1195) Heinrich (1923) reported the host was unknown. ( 4 ).
When is Aster-head Eucosma Moth - Hodges#2936 active?
Aster-head Eucosma Moth - Hodges#2936: seasonal activity - Forbes (1923) reported the flight period as August to September. ( 7 ).