Gnorimoschema powelli - Hodges#1996.5
Gnorimoschema powelli
This record describes Gnorimoschema powelli (species). Recorded family: Gelechiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Gnorimoschema powelli - Hodges#1996.5 (Gnorimoschema powelli) 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 Gnorimoschemini, superfamily Gelechioidea. This species belongs to the genus Gnorimoschema. As a member of class Insecta, phylum Arthropoda, it is part of the kingdom Animalia. Size: Forewing length: ♂ 11.3-13 mm. ♀ 11.2-13 mm.. Active during Powell & Opler reported adults from late October to early February. Povolný reported adults fly November to December, and rarely January..
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Gelechioidea
- Family
- Gelechiidae (Twirler Moths)
- Subfamily
- Gelechiinae
- Tribe
- Gnorimoschemini
- Genus
- Gnorimoschema
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
California and Arizona(?)
Seasonal Activity
Powell & Opler (2009) reported adults from late October to early February. ( 3 ) Povolný (1998) reported adults fly November to December, and rarely January. ( 4 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae induce galls on the stems of desert broom ( Baccharis sarothroides ). ( 3 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Named in honor of Dr. Jerry A. Powell .
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Gnorimoschema powelli. 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 Gnorimoschema powelli - Hodges#1996.5 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Randy Hardy; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Gnorimoschema powelli - Hodges#1996.5
What is Gnorimoschema powelli - Hodges#1996.5?
Gnorimoschema powelli - Hodges#1996.5 (Gnorimoschema powelli) is a species in the family Gelechiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Gnorimoschema powelli - Hodges#1996.5?
Forewing length: ♂ 11.3-13 mm. ♀ 11.2-13 mm.
Where is Gnorimoschema powelli - Hodges#1996.5 found?
Range: California and Arizona(?)
What does Gnorimoschema powelli - Hodges#1996.5 eat?
The diet of the Gnorimoschema powelli - Hodges#1996.5 includes Larvae induce galls on the stems of desert broom ( Baccharis sarothroides ). ( 3 ).
When is Gnorimoschema powelli - Hodges#1996.5 active?
Gnorimoschema powelli - Hodges#1996.5: seasonal activity - Powell & Opler (2009) reported adults from late October to early February. ( 3 ) Povolný (1998) reported adults fly November to December, and rarely January. ( 4 ).