Ambrosia Seed Moth - Hodges#0902
Exaeretia gracilis
This record describes Exaeretia gracilis (species). Recorded family: Depressariidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult - distinctive, pale yellow tan with base and prothorax dark brown. Larva - dark, almost black.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Gelechioidea
- Family
- Depressariidae
- Subfamily
- Depressariinae
- Genus
- Exaeretia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
North Dakota to Texas and west to California.
Seasonal Activity
Several broods in southern California with adults recorded nearly year round. May to June in northern areas of the range.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae mine the leaves of: Ambrosia psilostachya (western ragweed) USDA Plant profile , Grindelia stricta (Oregon gumweed) USDA Plant profile Heterotheca grandiflora (telegraphweed) USDA Plant profile
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet is Latin meaning "slim" for the "rather narrow" forewings. It is unclear where the name "Ambrosia Seed Moth" came from, but it is inappropriate since this species is a leafminer rather than a seed feeder.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Exaeretia gracilis. 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 Ambrosia Seed Moth - Hodges#0902 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Steve Nanz; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , ceiseman , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Ambrosia Seed Moth - Hodges#0902
What is Ambrosia Seed Moth - Hodges#0902?
Ambrosia Seed Moth - Hodges#0902 (Exaeretia gracilis) is a species in the family Depressariidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Ambrosia Seed Moth - Hodges#0902?
Forewing length 6.7-9 mm.
How do you identify Ambrosia Seed Moth - Hodges#0902?
Adult - distinctive, pale yellow tan with base and prothorax dark brown. Larva - dark, almost black.
Where is Ambrosia Seed Moth - Hodges#0902 found?
Range: North Dakota to Texas and west to California.
What does Ambrosia Seed Moth - Hodges#0902 eat?
The diet of the Ambrosia Seed Moth - Hodges#0902 includes Larvae mine the leaves of: Ambrosia psilostachya (western ragweed) USDA Plant profile , Grindelia stricta (Oregon gumweed) USDA Plant profile Heterotheca grandiflora (telegraphweed) USDA Plant profile.
When is Ambrosia Seed Moth - Hodges#0902 active?
Ambrosia Seed Moth - Hodges#0902: seasonal activity - Several broods in southern California with adults recorded nearly year round. May to June in northern areas of the range..