Clover Head Caterpillar Moth - Hodges#3439
Grapholita interstinctana
This record describes Grapholita interstinctana (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult : FW dark brown with a single pair of white dorsal strigulae per wing. ( 5 ) Larva : Late instar larvae are approximately 5-6 mm in length with a pale abdomen. The head and prothoracic shield are yellowish brown. An anal comb is absent. ( 5 )
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Tortricoidea
- Family
- Tortricidae (Tortricid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Olethreutinae
- Tribe
- Grapholitini
- Genus
- Grapholita
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Distributed in eastern North America from Maine to Alberta, south to Missouri. ( 5 )
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly from late May to September. ( 5 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on seeds in the heads of clover; usually one larva is present per flower head. Larvae have also been reported feeding on sunflower (Asteraceae). ( 5 )
Life History
2-3 generations per year. ( 5 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet from Latin interstincta meaning "extinguished."
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Grapholita interstinctana. 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 Clover Head Caterpillar Moth - Hodges#3439 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Mike Boone , Tony-2 , anitagould , Robert Lord Zimlich , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Clover Head Caterpillar Moth - Hodges#3439
What is Clover Head Caterpillar Moth - Hodges#3439?
Clover Head Caterpillar Moth - Hodges#3439 (Grapholita interstinctana) is a species in the family Tortricidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Clover Head Caterpillar Moth - Hodges#3439?
FWL≈4-6mm Wingspan 7-12 mm. ( 4 )
How do you identify Clover Head Caterpillar Moth - Hodges#3439?
Adult : FW dark brown with a single pair of white dorsal strigulae per wing. ( 5 ) Larva : Late instar larvae are approximately 5-6 mm in length with a pale abdomen. The head and prothoracic shield are yellowish brown. An anal comb is absent. ( 5 )
Where is Clover Head Caterpillar Moth - Hodges#3439 found?
Range: Distributed in eastern North America from Maine to Alberta, south to Missouri. ( 5 )
What does Clover Head Caterpillar Moth - Hodges#3439 eat?
The diet of the Clover Head Caterpillar Moth - Hodges#3439 includes Larvae feed on seeds in the heads of clover; usually one larva is present per flower head. Larvae have also been reported feeding on sunflower (Asteraceae). ( 5 ).
When is Clover Head Caterpillar Moth - Hodges#3439 active?
Clover Head Caterpillar Moth - Hodges#3439: seasonal activity - Adults fly from late May to September. ( 5 ).
What is the life cycle of a Clover Head Caterpillar Moth - Hodges#3439?
2-3 generations per year. ( 5 )