Olethreutes n-sp-nr-auricapitana - Hodges#2830.1
Olethreutes n-sp-nr-auricapitana
This record describes Olethreutes n-sp-nr-auricapitana (unresolved taxon). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
DNA analysis at BOLD indicates there are two species going under the name auricapitana . According to Michael Sabourin, it appears that true auricapitana is a fern feeding species, and there is an undescribed species near auricapitana that feeds on birch. BOLD:AAI3236 is referable to the fern feeding phenotype, and BOLD:AAF4647 corresponds to the birch feeding phenotype. The species shown on this page is the birch feeding phenotype, which is more likely than not the undescribed species. This conclusion is provisional pending examination of the type specimen of auricapitana . One of several Nearctic Olethreutes s. l. species with iridescent spots on the forewings: [missing] [missing] [missing] astrologana coruscana ferrolineana metallica nordeggana sordidana galaxana [missing] siderana concretana auricapitana nr. auricapitana albiciliana agilana
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Tortricoidea
- Family
- Tortricidae (Tortricid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Olethreutinae
- Tribe
- Olethreutini
- Genus
- Olethreutes
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Specimens on BOLD from ON, QC, PEI
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Olethreutes n-sp-nr-auricapitana. 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 Olethreutes n-sp-nr-auricapitana - Hodges#2830.1 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Aaron Hunt