LepidopteraCosmopterigidae – Cosmet Moths

Melanocinclis gnoma - Hodges#1506

Melanocinclis gnoma

This record describes Melanocinclis gnoma (species). Recorded family: Cosmopterigidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Melanocinclis gnoma - Hodges#1506 - Melanocinclis gnoma
Contributed by Steve Nanz

See Hodges . Pattern of antennae separate this species from other in the genus.

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily
Gelechioidea
Family
Cosmopterigidae (Cosmet Moths)
Subfamily
Cosmopteriginae
Genus
Melanocinclis

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

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

Holotype: Archbold Biological Station, L. Placid, FL

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Melanocinclis gnoma. 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 Melanocinclis gnoma - Hodges#1506 (2)

Melanocinclis gnoma - Hodges#1506 - photo 1
Contributed by Steve Nanz
Melanocinclis gnoma - Hodges#1506 - photo 2
Contributed by Steve Nanz

Photo credits: Contributed by Steve Nanz

Frequently Asked Questions About Melanocinclis gnoma - Hodges#1506

What is Melanocinclis gnoma - Hodges#1506?

Melanocinclis gnoma - Hodges#1506 (Melanocinclis gnoma) is a species in the family Cosmopterigidae, within the order Lepidoptera.

How do you identify Melanocinclis gnoma - Hodges#1506?

See Hodges . Pattern of antennae separate this species from other in the genus.

Where is Melanocinclis gnoma - Hodges#1506 found?

Range: Holotype: Archbold Biological Station, L. Placid, FL

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

Photo credits: Contributed by Steve Nanz. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.