Isophrictis anteliella - Hodges#1690
Isophrictis anteliella
This record describes Isophrictis anteliella (species). Recorded family: Gelechiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Images of this species were previously misplaced to I. magnella on BugGuide and on MPG. Additionally, both images shown for this species here (and both pinned specimens on MPG) were actually I. magnella . However, magnella and anteliella are not especially similar to each other relative to other species in this genus. The BIN corresponding to this species at BOLD includes four specimens misidentified as I. actinopa , which is similarly marked but tan, rather than red as I. anteliella , and was described from Alpine, in the Trans-Pecos region of west Texas.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Gelechioidea
- Family
- Gelechiidae (Twirler Moths)
- Subfamily
- Anomologinae
- Genus
- Isophrictis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Engel reported them as common in western Pennsylvania. MPG records add Ohio, Illinois and east Texas. Type location: New Jersey.
Seasonal Activity
Early records show them abundant mid-August to mid-September in the northeast.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Unknown. Other Isophrictis feed on plants in the family Asteraceae. ( 3 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Isophrictis anteliella. 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 Isophrictis anteliella - Hodges#1690 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Randy Hardy; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Blocky
Frequently Asked Questions About Isophrictis anteliella - Hodges#1690
What is Isophrictis anteliella - Hodges#1690?
Isophrictis anteliella - Hodges#1690 (Isophrictis anteliella) is a species in the family Gelechiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Isophrictis anteliella - Hodges#1690?
Wingspan 12-12.5 mm.
Where is Isophrictis anteliella - Hodges#1690 found?
Range: Engel reported them as common in western Pennsylvania. MPG records add Ohio, Illinois and east Texas. Type location: New Jersey.
What does Isophrictis anteliella - Hodges#1690 eat?
The diet of the Isophrictis anteliella - Hodges#1690 includes Unknown. Other Isophrictis feed on plants in the family Asteraceae. ( 3 ).
When is Isophrictis anteliella - Hodges#1690 active?
Isophrictis anteliella - Hodges#1690: seasonal activity - Early records show them abundant mid-August to mid-September in the northeast..