LepidopteraCrambidae – Crambid Snout Moths

Frechinia helianthiales - Hodges#4798

Frechinia helianthiales

This record describes Frechinia helianthiales (species). Recorded family: Crambidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Frechinia helianthiales - Hodges#4798 - Frechinia helianthiales
Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy , Kyhl Austin

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily
Pyraloidea
Family
Crambidae (Crambid Snout Moths)
Subfamily
Odontiinae
Tribe
Odontiini
Genus
Frechinia

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

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

the Midwest to Arizona and Mexico

Diet and Behavior

Diet: larvae are leaf miners of sunflower ( Helianthus )

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Frechinia helianthiales. 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 Frechinia helianthiales - Hodges#4798 (2)

Frechinia helianthiales - Hodges#4798 - photo 1
Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy , Kyhl Austin
Frechinia helianthiales - Hodges#4798 - photo 2
Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy , Kyhl Austin

Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy , Kyhl Austin

Frequently Asked Questions About Frechinia helianthiales - Hodges#4798

How big is Frechinia helianthiales - Hodges#4798?

forewing length 6.5 - 8.5 mm

Where is Frechinia helianthiales - Hodges#4798 found?

Range: the Midwest to Arizona and Mexico

What does Frechinia helianthiales - Hodges#4798 eat?

The diet of the Frechinia helianthiales - Hodges#4798 includes larvae are leaf miners of sunflower ( Helianthus ).

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

Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy , Kyhl Austin. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.