Inga obscuromaculella - Hodges#1037
Inga obscuromaculella
This record describes Inga obscuromaculella (species). Recorded family: Oecophoridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
This species has long been confused with Exaeretia sordidella here and on MPG. However, I. obscuromaculella differs significantly in pattern from E. sordidella based on the images on the BOLD taxon pages for each species. None of the specimens shown on the BOLD page for I. obscuromaculella have been barcoded. However, the specimens in BOLD:AAH5552 are clearly referable to this species based on comparison of external characters with the specimens shown on the species page (ASH 11 v 2020).
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Gelechioidea
- Family
- Oecophoridae (Concealer Moths)
- Subfamily
- Oecophorinae
- Tribe
- Oecophorini
- Genus
- Inga
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Known only from Texas. Type location: Bosque Co., Texas.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Inga obscuromaculella (Chambers, 1878) Cryptolechia obscuromaculella Chambers, 1878 Machimia obscuromaculella * phylogenetic sequence #029875
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Inga obscuromaculella. 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 Inga obscuromaculella - Hodges#1037 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy , Blocky
Frequently Asked Questions About Inga obscuromaculella - Hodges#1037
What is Inga obscuromaculella - Hodges#1037?
Inga obscuromaculella - Hodges#1037 (Inga obscuromaculella) is a species in the family Oecophoridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Inga obscuromaculella - Hodges#1037?
Wingspan 14-15 mm.
How do you identify Inga obscuromaculella - Hodges#1037?
This species has long been confused with Exaeretia sordidella here and on MPG. However, I. obscuromaculella differs significantly in pattern from E. sordidella based on the images on the BOLD taxon pages for each species. None of the specimens shown on the BOLD page for I. obscuromaculella have been barcoded. However, the specimens in BOLD:AAH5552 are clearly referable to this species based on comparison of external characters with the specimens shown on the species page (ASH 11 v 2020).
Where is Inga obscuromaculella - Hodges#1037 found?
Range: Known only from Texas. Type location: Bosque Co., Texas.