LepidopteraGelechiidae – Twirler Moths

Neodactylota snellenella - Hodges#1909

Neodactylota snellenella

This record describes Neodactylota snellenella (species). Recorded family: Gelechiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Neodactylota snellenella - Hodges#1909 - Neodactylota snellenella
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Original and revised descriptions are online in the print references.

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily
Gelechioidea
Family
Gelechiidae (Twirler Moths)
Subfamily
Gelechiinae
Tribe
Gelechiini
Genus
Neodactylota

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

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

Southern Arizona; Western Texas. ( 3 )

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Neodactylota snellenella. 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 Neodactylota snellenella - Hodges#1909 (5)

Neodactylota snellenella - Hodges#1909 - photo 1
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Neodactylota snellenella - Hodges#1909 - photo 2
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Neodactylota snellenella - Hodges#1909 - photo 3
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Neodactylota snellenella - Hodges#1909 - photo 4
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Neodactylota snellenella - Hodges#1909 - photo 5
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Frequently Asked Questions About Neodactylota snellenella - Hodges#1909

What is Neodactylota snellenella - Hodges#1909?

Neodactylota snellenella - Hodges#1909 (Neodactylota snellenella) is a species in the family Gelechiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.

How big is Neodactylota snellenella - Hodges#1909?

Powell & Opler (2009) listed the forewing length 7-8.5 mm. ( 3 )

How do you identify Neodactylota snellenella - Hodges#1909?

Original and revised descriptions are online in the print references.

Where is Neodactylota snellenella - Hodges#1909 found?

Range: Southern Arizona; Western Texas. ( 3 )

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

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.