Pelochrista fiskeana - Hodges#3129
Pelochrista fiskeana
This record describes Pelochrista fiskeana (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult - see original description in Print References. ( 3 )
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
Scattered records from the Midwest and southern United States. ( 7 ) , ( 6 ) Paratypes: Tryon, NC (Fiske, August 2-11).
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet in honor of William Fuller Fiske (1828-1906), well known for his work on Lymantria dispar (spongy moth) parasites, who collected the first specimens. ( 3 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Pelochrista fiskeana. 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 Pelochrista fiskeana - Hodges#3129 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jason J. Dombroskie; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Randy Hardy , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Pelochrista fiskeana - Hodges#3129
What is Pelochrista fiskeana - Hodges#3129?
Pelochrista fiskeana - Hodges#3129 (Pelochrista fiskeana) is a species in the family Tortricidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Pelochrista fiskeana - Hodges#3129?
Wingspan 20-29 mm, females larger than males. ( 3 ) , ( 6 )
How do you identify Pelochrista fiskeana - Hodges#3129?
Adult - see original description in Print References. ( 3 )
Where is Pelochrista fiskeana - Hodges#3129 found?
Range: Scattered records from the Midwest and southern United States. ( 7 ) , ( 6 ) Paratypes: Tryon, NC (Fiske, August 2-11).