Monochroa absconditella - Hodges#1706
Monochroa absconditella
This record describes Monochroa absconditella (species). Recorded family: Gelechiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Monochroa absconditella is the host of the Chalcidoid wasp Eupelmus cyaniceps .
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Gelechioidea
- Family
- Gelechiidae (Twirler Moths)
- Subfamily
- Anomologinae
- Genus
- Monochroa
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Heppner (2003) listed the range to include Maryland to Florida, Illinois to Texas. ( 3 )
Seasonal Activity
Heppner (2003) reported January to February; April to December. ( 3 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Heppner (2003) reported the larvae to feed in the stems of several plants. ( 3 ) Ampelopsis sp. (Vitaceae). Polygonum sp. (Polygonaceae) P. densilflorum P. punctatum
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Monochroa absconditella. 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 Monochroa absconditella - Hodges#1706 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Monochroa absconditella - Hodges#1706
What is Monochroa absconditella - Hodges#1706?
Monochroa absconditella - Hodges#1706 (Monochroa absconditella) is a species in the family Gelechiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Monochroa absconditella - Hodges#1706?
Walker (1864) listed a wingspan of about 12.7 mm. (6 lines)
Where is Monochroa absconditella - Hodges#1706 found?
Range: Heppner (2003) listed the range to include Maryland to Florida, Illinois to Texas. ( 3 )
What does Monochroa absconditella - Hodges#1706 eat?
The diet of the Monochroa absconditella - Hodges#1706 includes Heppner (2003) reported the larvae to feed in the stems of several plants. ( 3 ) Ampelopsis sp. (Vitaceae). Polygonum sp. (Polygonaceae) P. densilflorum P. punctatum.
When is Monochroa absconditella - Hodges#1706 active?
Monochroa absconditella - Hodges#1706: seasonal activity - Heppner (2003) reported January to February; April to December. ( 3 ).