LepidopteraPyralidae – Pyralid Moths

Heinrichiessa sanpetella - Hodges#6018.2

Heinrichiessa sanpetella

This record describes Heinrichiessa sanpetella (species). Recorded family: Pyralidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Heinrichiessa sanpetella - Hodges#6018.2 - Heinrichiessa sanpetella
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz

Determined by Brian G. Scholtens .

Identification notes

Determined by Brian G. Scholtens .

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily
Pyraloidea
Family
Pyralidae (Pyralid Moths)
Subfamily
Phycitinae
Tribe
Phycitini
Genus
Heinrichiessa

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

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

California to Arizona, Utah and central Oregon. ,

Diet and Behavior

Diet: Juniperus occiddentalis Hook. (western juniper). Juniperus osteosperma Torr. (alligator juniper).

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Heinrichiessa sanpetella. 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 Heinrichiessa sanpetella - Hodges#6018.2 (2)

Heinrichiessa sanpetella - Hodges#6018.2 - photo 1
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz
Heinrichiessa sanpetella - Hodges#6018.2 - photo 2
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz

Frequently Asked Questions About Heinrichiessa sanpetella - Hodges#6018.2

What is Heinrichiessa sanpetella - Hodges#6018.2?

Heinrichiessa sanpetella - Hodges#6018.2 (Heinrichiessa sanpetella) is a species in the family Pyralidae, within the order Lepidoptera.

How do you identify Heinrichiessa sanpetella - Hodges#6018.2?

Determined by Brian G. Scholtens .

Where is Heinrichiessa sanpetella - Hodges#6018.2 found?

Range: California to Arizona, Utah and central Oregon. ,

What does Heinrichiessa sanpetella - Hodges#6018.2 eat?

The diet of the Heinrichiessa sanpetella - Hodges#6018.2 includes Juniperus occiddentalis Hook. (western juniper). Juniperus osteosperma Torr. (alligator juniper)..

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

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.