Ornativalva erubescens - Hodges#1928.1
Ornativalva erubescens
This record describes Ornativalva erubescens (species). Recorded family: Gelechiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Forewing pattern distinct in our area. Can be extremely abundant at times. A single bucket trap in Willcox, Arizona yielded an estimated 10,000+ specimens of this species (Kyhl Austin).
Identification notes
Forewing pattern distinct in our area.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Gelechioidea
- Family
- Gelechiidae (Twirler Moths)
- Subfamily
- Anomologinae
- Genus
- Ornativalva
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Along rivers, reservoirs, and riparian areas where the suspected host plant can be found .
Geographic Range
United States records from Arizona, Nevada, and Texas . Additional BugGuide records from California. Native from eastern North Africa east to Pakistan.
Seasonal Activity
Records from March through October .
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Host plant unknown, however suspected to be salt cedar ( Tamarix spp.) .
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet from Latin meaning "reddening, blushing," for the forewings suffused with "bright rosy red."
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Ornativalva erubescens. 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 Ornativalva erubescens - Hodges#1928.1 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Kyhl Austin; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Ornativalva erubescens - Hodges#1928.1
What is Ornativalva erubescens - Hodges#1928.1?
Ornativalva erubescens - Hodges#1928.1 (Ornativalva erubescens) is a species in the family Gelechiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Ornativalva erubescens - Hodges#1928.1?
Forewing length 5.6 to 6.2 mm .
How do you identify Ornativalva erubescens - Hodges#1928.1?
Forewing pattern distinct in our area.
Where is Ornativalva erubescens - Hodges#1928.1 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Along rivers, reservoirs, and riparian areas where the suspected host plant can be found . |
| Range | United States records from Arizona, Nevada, and Texas . Additional BugGuide records from California. Native from eastern North Africa east to Pakistan. |
What does Ornativalva erubescens - Hodges#1928.1 eat?
The diet of the Ornativalva erubescens - Hodges#1928.1 includes Host plant unknown, however suspected to be salt cedar ( Tamarix spp.) ..
When is Ornativalva erubescens - Hodges#1928.1 active?
Ornativalva erubescens - Hodges#1928.1: seasonal activity - Records from March through October ..