Paralobesia vernoniana - Hodges#2723
Paralobesia vernoniana
This record describes Paralobesia vernoniana (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Tortricoidea
- Family
- Tortricidae (Tortricid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Olethreutinae
- Tribe
- Olethreutini
- Genus
- Paralobesia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Heppner listed the range as New Hampshire to Florida, Illinois to Texas. , Lectotype ♂ Caldwell, New Jersey.
Seasonal Activity
The adults are most common from May to September. ( 5 ) Heppner (2003) reported March for Florida. ( 3 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Heppner (2003) listed two host plants. ( 3 ) Ambrosia trifida L. (great ragweed). Vernonia noveboracensis (L.) Michx. (New York ironweed).
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet for the host plant genus ( Vernonia ).
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Paralobesia vernoniana. 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 Paralobesia vernoniana - Hodges#2723 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Paralobesia vernoniana - Hodges#2723
How big is Paralobesia vernoniana - Hodges#2723?
Kearfott (1907) reported a wingspan average of 9-11 mm.
Where is Paralobesia vernoniana - Hodges#2723 found?
Range: Heppner listed the range as New Hampshire to Florida, Illinois to Texas. , Lectotype ♂ Caldwell, New Jersey.
What does Paralobesia vernoniana - Hodges#2723 eat?
The diet of the Paralobesia vernoniana - Hodges#2723 includes Heppner (2003) listed two host plants. ( 3 ) Ambrosia trifida L. (great ragweed). Vernonia noveboracensis (L.) Michx. (New York ironweed)..
When is Paralobesia vernoniana - Hodges#2723 active?
Paralobesia vernoniana - Hodges#2723: seasonal activity - The adults are most common from May to September. ( 5 ) Heppner (2003) reported March for Florida. ( 3 ).