Gnorimoschema saphirinella - Hodges#1998
Gnorimoschema saphirinella
This record describes Gnorimoschema saphirinella (species). Recorded family: Gelechiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The original description as Gelechia saphirinella Chambers is available online in the print references below. Specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD). ( 5 )
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
Widespread records throughout North America. ( 6 ) , ( 7 ) , ( 8 )
Seasonal Activity
There are records from February to October, but the adults are most common from April to August. (MPG records)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Powell & Opler (2009) report larvae feed on Ambrosia chamissonis (beach bur), and mentioned the Goeden & Ricker report of the larvae as leaf miners on A. confertifolia and A. psilostachya . ( 4 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Gnorimoschema saphirinella. 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 saphirinella - Hodges#1998 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Blocky
Frequently Asked Questions About Gnorimoschema saphirinella - Hodges#1998
What is Gnorimoschema saphirinella - Hodges#1998?
Gnorimoschema saphirinella - Hodges#1998 (Gnorimoschema saphirinella) is a species in the family Gelechiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Gnorimoschema saphirinella - Hodges#1998?
Forewing length 5.5-6.5 mm. ( 4 )
How do you identify Gnorimoschema saphirinella - Hodges#1998?
The original description as Gelechia saphirinella Chambers is available online in the print references below. Specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD). ( 5 )
Where is Gnorimoschema saphirinella - Hodges#1998 found?
Range: Widespread records throughout North America. ( 6 ) , ( 7 ) , ( 8 )
What does Gnorimoschema saphirinella - Hodges#1998 eat?
The diet of the Gnorimoschema saphirinella - Hodges#1998 includes Powell & Opler (2009) report larvae feed on Ambrosia chamissonis (beach bur), and mentioned the Goeden & Ricker report of the larvae as leaf miners on A. confertifolia and A. psilostachya . ( 4 ).
When is Gnorimoschema saphirinella - Hodges#1998 active?
Gnorimoschema saphirinella - Hodges#1998: seasonal activity - There are records from February to October, but the adults are most common from April to August. (MPG records).