Keiferia georgei - Hodges#2048.1
Keiferia georgei
This record describes Keiferia georgei (species). Recorded family: Gelechiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Examination of genital morphology is necessary for accurate determination, because of the substantial number of other gnorimoschemine spp. that are externally indistinguishable from K. georgei . Genitalia: One of a bewildering array of gnorimoschemine spp., of various genera, that display a common color pattern.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Gelechioidea
- Family
- Gelechiidae (Twirler Moths)
- Subfamily
- Gelechiinae
- Tribe
- Gnorimoschemini
- Genus
- Keiferia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
As for the larval host plant; mainly open areas.
Geographic Range
Midwestern USA; known from Illinois and Minnesota, but possibly extending to wherever the larval host plant occurs.
Seasonal Activity
The original series was reared from larvae collected in central Illinois in mid-August, with adults emerging in September. Larvae have been found in Minnesota in early July, with moths emerging in late July/early August.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The larva is a leaf miner on Physalis heterophylla (Solanaceae).
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Keiferia georgei. 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 Keiferia georgei - Hodges#2048.1 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Terry Harrison; Additional contributions by Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Keiferia georgei - Hodges#2048.1
What is Keiferia georgei - Hodges#2048.1?
Keiferia georgei - Hodges#2048.1 (Keiferia georgei) is a species in the family Gelechiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Keiferia georgei - Hodges#2048.1?
Forewing length 3.3 to 4.7mm.
How do you identify Keiferia georgei - Hodges#2048.1?
Examination of genital morphology is necessary for accurate determination, because of the substantial number of other gnorimoschemine spp. that are externally indistinguishable from K. georgei . Genitalia:
Where is Keiferia georgei - Hodges#2048.1 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | As for the larval host plant; mainly open areas. |
| Range | Midwestern USA; known from Illinois and Minnesota, but possibly extending to wherever the larval host plant occurs. |
What does Keiferia georgei - Hodges#2048.1 eat?
The diet of the Keiferia georgei - Hodges#2048.1 includes The larva is a leaf miner on Physalis heterophylla (Solanaceae)..
When is Keiferia georgei - Hodges#2048.1 active?
Keiferia georgei - Hodges#2048.1: seasonal activity - The original series was reared from larvae collected in central Illinois in mid-August, with adults emerging in September. Larvae have been found in Minnesota in early July, with moths emerging in late July/early August..