LepidopteraGelechiidae – Twirler Moths

Filatima depuratella - Hodges#2142

Filatima depuratella

This record describes Filatima depuratella (species). Recorded family: Gelechiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Filatima depuratella - Hodges#2142 - Filatima depuratella
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy

Original description is online as Gelechia depuratella Busck, in PDF.

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily
Gelechioidea
Family
Gelechiidae (Twirler Moths)
Subfamily
Gelechiinae
Tribe
Gelechiini
Genus
Filatima

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

Southern Arizona, New Mexico. Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.

Seasonal Activity

Adults have been recorded in April to May, September to October. ,

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Filatima depuratella. 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.

Explore Lepidoptera families and species →

Photos of Filatima depuratella - Hodges#2142 (5)

Filatima depuratella - Hodges#2142 - photo 1
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy
Filatima depuratella - Hodges#2142 - photo 2
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy
Filatima depuratella - Hodges#2142 - photo 3
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy
Filatima depuratella - Hodges#2142 - photo 4
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy
Filatima depuratella - Hodges#2142 - photo 5
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy

Frequently Asked Questions About Filatima depuratella - Hodges#2142

What is Filatima depuratella - Hodges#2142?

Filatima depuratella - Hodges#2142 (Filatima depuratella) is a species in the family Gelechiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.

How big is Filatima depuratella - Hodges#2142?

Wingspan 17 mm.

How do you identify Filatima depuratella - Hodges#2142?

Original description is online as Gelechia depuratella Busck, in PDF.

Where is Filatima depuratella - Hodges#2142 found?

Range: Southern Arizona, New Mexico. Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.

When is Filatima depuratella - Hodges#2142 active?

Filatima depuratella - Hodges#2142: seasonal activity - Adults have been recorded in April to May, September to October. ,.

How we use and review source data. Source count does not imply independent verification.

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.