LepidopteraTortricidae – Tortricid Moths

Phtheochroa huachucana - Hodges#3817

Phtheochroa huachucana

This record describes Phtheochroa huachucana (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Phtheochroa huachucana - Hodges#3817 - Phtheochroa huachucana
Contributed by Randy Hardy; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman

Adult - see Kearfott's original description in Print References.

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily
Tortricoidea
Family
Tortricidae (Tortricid Moths)
Subfamily
Tortricinae
Tribe
Cochylini
Genus
Phtheochroa

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

Known from Arizona, New Mexico and west Texas. Described specimens: Cochise County, Arizona, Aug. 1st (Geo. Franck ); Las Vegas, New Mexico; Huachuca Mountains, Arizona, Aug. 8th to 19th (Dr. W. Barnes ).

Additional species information

Species notes from the sources

Etymology: Specific epithet refers to southern Arizona's Huachuca Mountains where some of the first specimens were collected.

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Phtheochroa huachucana. 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.

Explore Lepidoptera families and species →

Photos of Phtheochroa huachucana - Hodges#3817 (5)

Phtheochroa huachucana - Hodges#3817 - photo 1
Contributed by Randy Hardy; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman
Phtheochroa huachucana - Hodges#3817 - photo 2
Contributed by Randy Hardy; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman
Phtheochroa huachucana - Hodges#3817 - photo 3
Contributed by Randy Hardy; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman
Phtheochroa huachucana - Hodges#3817 - photo 4
Contributed by Randy Hardy; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman
Phtheochroa huachucana - Hodges#3817 - photo 5
Contributed by Randy Hardy; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman

Photo credits: Contributed by Randy Hardy; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman

Frequently Asked Questions About Phtheochroa huachucana - Hodges#3817

What is Phtheochroa huachucana - Hodges#3817?

Phtheochroa huachucana - Hodges#3817 (Phtheochroa huachucana) is a species in the family Tortricidae, within the order Lepidoptera.

How big is Phtheochroa huachucana - Hodges#3817?

Wingspan 22-27 mm.

How do you identify Phtheochroa huachucana - Hodges#3817?

Adult - see Kearfott's original description in Print References.

Where is Phtheochroa huachucana - Hodges#3817 found?

Range: Known from Arizona, New Mexico and west Texas. Described specimens: Cochise County, Arizona, Aug. 1st (Geo. Franck ); Las Vegas, New Mexico; Huachuca Mountains, Arizona, Aug. 8th to 19th (Dr. W. Barnes ).

How we use and review source data. Source count does not imply independent verification.

Photo credits: Contributed by Randy Hardy; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.