LepidopteraTortricidae – Tortricid Moths

Arrowhead Moth - Hodges#3259

Gretchena deludana

This record describes Gretchena deludana (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Arrowhead Moth - Hodges#3259 - Gretchena deludana
Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Robert Lord Zimlich , Randy Hardy

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily
Tortricoidea
Family
Tortricidae (Tortricid Moths)
Subfamily
Olethreutinae
Tribe
Eucosmini
Genus
Gretchena

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

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

Records from the eastern half of the United States and adjacent Canada. ( 3 )

Diet and Behavior

Diet: Larval host is pecan ( Carya illinoinensis ). ( 4 )

Additional species information

Species notes from the sources

Etymology: Specific epithet from Latin deludo meaning "deceive, dupe."

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Gretchena deludana. 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 Arrowhead Moth - Hodges#3259 (5)

Arrowhead Moth - Hodges#3259 - photo 1
Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Robert Lord Zimlich , Randy Hardy
Arrowhead Moth - Hodges#3259 - photo 2
Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Robert Lord Zimlich , Randy Hardy
Arrowhead Moth - Hodges#3259 - photo 3
Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Robert Lord Zimlich , Randy Hardy
Arrowhead Moth - Hodges#3259 - photo 4
Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Robert Lord Zimlich , Randy Hardy
Arrowhead Moth - Hodges#3259 - photo 5
Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Robert Lord Zimlich , Randy Hardy

Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Robert Lord Zimlich , Randy Hardy

Frequently Asked Questions About Arrowhead Moth - Hodges#3259

How big is Arrowhead Moth - Hodges#3259?

Wingspan 14-17 mm.

Where is Arrowhead Moth - Hodges#3259 found?

Range: Records from the eastern half of the United States and adjacent Canada. ( 3 )

What does Arrowhead Moth - Hodges#3259 eat?

The diet of the Arrowhead Moth - Hodges#3259 includes Larval host is pecan ( Carya illinoinensis ). ( 4 ).

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

Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Robert Lord Zimlich , Randy Hardy. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.