Eugnosta mexicana - Hodges#3791
Eugnosta mexicana
This record describes Eugnosta mexicana (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional details | Busck original description. Labial palpi white, slightly sprinkled with light fuscous externally and with apical joint light fuscous. |
| Head | Head and thorax white, slightly suffused with light ochreous fuscous. Fore wings white, slightly suffused with light ochreous fuscous and with brown markings. Basal third evenly and lightly darkened by short indistinct transverse striation; before the middle of the dorsal edge is a large conspicuous dark brown, outwardly oblique streak, terminating beyond the middle of the cell. This streak has parallel and straight edges, and is limited on both sides by a narrow edging of pure white scales. Beyond the end of the cell is a large ill-defined ashy brown shade, limited basally by a line of unmottled white and reaching nearly to the terminal edge: beyond it is a short oblique whitish fascia across the tip of the wing. Extreme apex ashy brown. Cilia white with dark fuscous tips. Hind wings light whitish fuscous on the upper side, faintly showing the ornamentation of the under side, which is whitish with dark fuscous transverse lines. |
| Abdomen | Abdomen and legs ochreous white, slightly dusted with light fuscous. |
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Tortricoidea
- Family
- Tortricidae (Tortricid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Tortricinae
- Tribe
- Cochylini
- Genus
- Eugnosta
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Powell & Opler reported the species from elevations of 5,500 to 8,800'.
Geographic Range
Powell & Opler reported the species in Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado. Holotype ♂, Beulah, 8000', New Mexico (T.D.A. Cockerell ).
Seasonal Activity
The main flight period appears to be June to August.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval host and immature stages unknown.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet for the type location (New Mexico).
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Eugnosta mexicana. 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 Eugnosta mexicana - Hodges#3791 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Eugnosta mexicana - Hodges#3791
What is Eugnosta mexicana - Hodges#3791?
Eugnosta mexicana - Hodges#3791 (Eugnosta mexicana) is a species in the family Tortricidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Eugnosta mexicana - Hodges#3791?
Busck reported a wingspan of 22 mm. Powell & Opler listed the forewing length 7-10 mm.
How do you identify Eugnosta mexicana - Hodges#3791?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional details | Busck original description. Labial palpi white, slightly sprinkled with light fuscous externally and with apical joint light fuscous. |
| Head | Head and thorax white, slightly suffused with light ochreous fuscous. Fore wings white, slightly suffused with light ochreous fuscous and with brown markings. Basal third evenly and lightly darkened by short indistinct transverse striation; before the middle of the dorsal edge is a large conspicuous dark brown, outwardly oblique streak, terminating beyond the middle of the cell. This streak has parallel and straight edges, and is limited on both sides by a narrow edging of pure white scales. Beyond the end of the cell is a large ill-defined ashy brown shade, limited basally by a line of unmottled white and reaching nearly to the terminal edge: beyond it is a short oblique whitish fascia across the tip of the wing. Extreme apex ashy brown. Cilia white with dark fuscous tips. Hind wings light whitish fuscous on the upper side, faintly showing the ornamentation of the under side, which is whitish with dark fuscous transverse lines. |
| Abdomen | Abdomen and legs ochreous white, slightly dusted with light fuscous. |
Where is Eugnosta mexicana - Hodges#3791 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Powell & Opler reported the species from elevations of 5,500 to 8,800'. |
| Range | Powell & Opler reported the species in Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado. Holotype ♂, Beulah, 8000', New Mexico (T.D.A. Cockerell ). |
What does Eugnosta mexicana - Hodges#3791 eat?
The diet of the Eugnosta mexicana - Hodges#3791 includes Larval host and immature stages unknown..
When is Eugnosta mexicana - Hodges#3791 active?
Eugnosta mexicana - Hodges#3791: seasonal activity - The main flight period appears to be June to August..