Isophrictis similiella - Hodges#1702
Isophrictis similiella
This record describes Isophrictis similiella (species). Recorded family: Gelechiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
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
TX-IL, SK-MB - MPG
Seasonal Activity
Apr - Sept BugGuide data
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Larvae bore in the receptacle of sunflower ( Helianthus ) and black-eyed susan ( Rudbeckia hirta ) flowerheads. They burrow down the stem up to three inches to pupate, chewing an exit hole before pupating. (Braun 1921) Black-eyed susan ( Rudbeckia hirta ) may not be a host plant for this species. Bottimer (1926) in his description of Isophrictis rudbeckiella , a species separated by genitalia, states "The species recorded by Braun as Isophrictis similiella Chambers, is presumably referable to the present species."
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Isophrictis similiella. 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 similiella - Hodges#1702 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Tony-2 , Mike Quinn , ceiseman , Robert Lord Zimlich , lee_penner
Frequently Asked Questions About Isophrictis similiella - Hodges#1702
How big is Isophrictis similiella - Hodges#1702?
wingspan 7/16" (~11 mm) (Chambers, 1872)
Where is Isophrictis similiella - Hodges#1702 found?
Range: TX-IL, SK-MB - MPG
When is Isophrictis similiella - Hodges#1702 active?
Isophrictis similiella - Hodges#1702: seasonal activity - Apr - Sept BugGuide data.
What is the life cycle of a Isophrictis similiella - Hodges#1702?
Larvae bore in the receptacle of sunflower ( Helianthus ) and black-eyed susan ( Rudbeckia hirta ) flowerheads. They burrow down the stem up to three inches to pupate, chewing an exit hole before pupating. (Braun 1921) Black-eyed susan ( Rudbeckia hirta ) may not be a host plant for this species. Bottimer (1926) in his description of Isophrictis rudbeckiella , a species separated by genitalia, states The species recorded by Braun as Isophrictis similiella Chambers, is presumably referable to the present species.