Metzneria paucipunctella - Hodges#1686
Metzneria paucipunctella
This record describes Metzneria paucipunctella (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
- Metzneria
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Introduced in the 1980's as a biological control agent for Centaurea (knapweed) in the western United States. Established in Colorado, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and western Canada. Released in Nebraska but is not considered established. Metzneria paucipunctella is a native of Europe.
Seasonal Activity
The adults are most common from May to July.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Centaurea maculosa C. diffusa
Life History
The larvae of the genus Metzneria feed in the seedheads of the host plant, and are known to have one generation per year.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Metzneria paucipunctella. 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 Metzneria paucipunctella - Hodges#1686 (4)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Kyhl Austin , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Metzneria paucipunctella - Hodges#1686
How big is Metzneria paucipunctella - Hodges#1686?
The forewing length averages 6-8 mm. Wingspan 15 mm.
Where is Metzneria paucipunctella - Hodges#1686 found?
Range: Introduced in the 1980's as a biological control agent for Centaurea (knapweed) in the western United States. Established in Colorado, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and western Canada. Released in Nebraska but is not considered established. Metzneria paucipunctella is a native of Europe.
What does Metzneria paucipunctella - Hodges#1686 eat?
The diet of the Metzneria paucipunctella - Hodges#1686 includes Centaurea maculosa C. diffusa.
When is Metzneria paucipunctella - Hodges#1686 active?
Metzneria paucipunctella - Hodges#1686: seasonal activity - The adults are most common from May to July..
What is the life cycle of a Metzneria paucipunctella - Hodges#1686?
The larvae of the genus Metzneria feed in the seedheads of the host plant, and are known to have one generation per year.