Mesquite Web Worm - Hodges#1916
Friseria cockerelli
This record describes Friseria cockerelli (species). Recorded family: Gelechiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Mesquite Web Worm - Hodges#1916 (Friseria cockerelli) is a species in the family Gelechiidae, commonly known as twirler moths, belonging to the order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths). It is classified within the subfamily Gelechiinae, tribe Gelechiini, superfamily Gelechioidea. This species belongs to the genus Friseria. As a member of class Insecta, phylum Arthropoda, it is part of the kingdom Animalia. Size: Powell and Opler listed the forewing length as 5.0-7.5 mm. Mature larvae to 10 mm.. It is found in Desert.. Active during The adults are most common from April to September. Texas flight begins in February..
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Gelechioidea
- Family
- Gelechiidae (Twirler Moths)
- Subfamily
- Gelechiinae
- Tribe
- Gelechiini
- Genus
- Friseria
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Desert.
Geographic Range
California and Nevada to Texas. ,
Seasonal Activity
The adults are most common from April to September. Texas flight begins in February.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The larval host plant is Prosopis glandulosa Torr. (honey mesquite).
Life History
Females lay an average of 120 eggs. Larvae make webs, usually in the forks of twigs, where they remain when not feeding and where they pupate. [Randy Hardy]
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Named in honor of Theodore Dru Alison Cockerell (1866–1948), an American zoologist.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Friseria cockerelli. 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 Mesquite Web Worm - Hodges#1916 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Mesquite Web Worm - Hodges#1916
What is Mesquite Web Worm - Hodges#1916?
Mesquite Web Worm - Hodges#1916 (Friseria cockerelli) is a species in the family Gelechiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Mesquite Web Worm - Hodges#1916?
Powell and Opler listed the forewing length as 5.0-7.5 mm. Mature larvae to 10 mm.
Where is Mesquite Web Worm - Hodges#1916 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Desert. |
| Range | California and Nevada to Texas. |
What does Mesquite Web Worm - Hodges#1916 eat?
The diet of the Mesquite Web Worm - Hodges#1916 includes The larval host plant is Prosopis glandulosa Torr. (honey mesquite)..
When is Mesquite Web Worm - Hodges#1916 active?
Mesquite Web Worm - Hodges#1916: seasonal activity - The adults are most common from April to September. Texas flight begins in February..
What is the life cycle of a Mesquite Web Worm - Hodges#1916?
Females lay an average of 120 eggs. Larvae make webs, usually in the forks of twigs, where they remain when not feeding and where they pupate. [Randy Hardy]