Derelict Pelochrista - Hodges#3120
Pelochrista derelicta
This record describes Pelochrista derelicta (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult - forewing has diagonal line from mid-costa to anal angle, with dark brown shading on proximal side, and light brown on distal side (some individuals have a tooth mid-way along the line); many fine squiggly lines cross the wing; dark grayish shading mid-way along outer margin extends into subterminal area; hindwing pale gray. Genitalia:
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Tortricoidea
- Family
- Tortricidae (Tortricid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Olethreutinae
- Tribe
- Eucosmini
- Genus
- Pelochrista
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Eastern North america, Colorado, Washington and most of southern Canada from Nova Scotia to British Columbia. Holotype male: Tryon, North Carolina ( Fiske , 8-13-04). Paratypes: Plummer's Island, MD ( Busck , August, 1903); Essex County Park, NJ ( Kearfott , July 22, Aug, 13); New Brighton, PA ( Merrick , VII-26-07); Hampton, NH (S.A. Shaw, VII-25-1911); Hymers, Ontario (July 8-15); Kings County, Nova Scotia (14-July-25); Bilby, Alberta (O. Bryant , July 12,1924); Fraser Mills, British Columbia (L.E. Marmont , 10-VIII-20); Hot Springs, Green River, WA (July 8-15); Denver, CO ( Oslar ).
Seasonal Activity
Adults have been recorded on Block Island , RI, from late June to early September, with abundance peaking in August. ( 4 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on rootstalks of goldenrod ( Solidago spp.).
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet is Latin meaning "abandoned, deserted."
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Pelochrista derelicta. 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 Derelict Pelochrista - Hodges#3120 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Graham M , Randy Hardy , Blocky , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Derelict Pelochrista - Hodges#3120
What is Derelict Pelochrista - Hodges#3120?
Derelict Pelochrista - Hodges#3120 (Pelochrista derelicta) is a species in the family Tortricidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Derelict Pelochrista - Hodges#3120?
Wingspan about 12-18 mm.
How do you identify Derelict Pelochrista - Hodges#3120?
Adult - forewing has diagonal line from mid-costa to anal angle, with dark brown shading on proximal side, and light brown on distal side (some individuals have a tooth mid-way along the line); many fine squiggly lines cross the wing; dark grayish shading mid-way along outer margin extends into subterminal area; hindwing pale gray. Genitalia:
Where is Derelict Pelochrista - Hodges#3120 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Range | Eastern North america, Colorado, Washington and most of southern Canada from Nova Scotia to British Columbia. Holotype |
| Male | Tryon, North Carolina ( Fiske , 8-13-04). Paratypes: Plummer's Island, MD ( Busck , August, 1903); Essex County Park, NJ ( Kearfott , July 22, Aug, 13); New Brighton, PA ( Merrick , VII-26-07); Hampton, NH (S.A. Shaw, VII-25-1911); Hymers, Ontario (July 8-15); Kings County, Nova Scotia (14-July-25); Bilby, Alberta (O. Bryant , July 12,1924); Fraser Mills, British Columbia (L.E. Marmont , 10-VIII-20); Hot Springs, Green River, WA (July 8-15); Denver, CO ( Oslar ). |
What does Derelict Pelochrista - Hodges#3120 eat?
The diet of the Derelict Pelochrista - Hodges#3120 includes Larvae feed on rootstalks of goldenrod ( Solidago spp.)..
When is Derelict Pelochrista - Hodges#3120 active?
Derelict Pelochrista - Hodges#3120: seasonal activity - Adults have been recorded on Block Island , RI, from late June to early September, with abundance peaking in August. ( 4 ).