LepidopteraGracillariidae – Leaf Blotch Miner Moths

Phyllonorycter diversella - Hodges#0750

Phyllonorycter diversella

This record describes Phyllonorycter diversella (species). Recorded family: Gracillariidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Phyllonorycter diversella - Hodges#0750 - Phyllonorycter diversella
Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Robert H. Biagi

Identification notes

Genitalia:

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily
Gracillarioidea
Family
Gracillariidae (Leaf Blotch Miner Moths)
Subfamily
Lithocolletinae
Genus
Phyllonorycter

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

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

Type locality: Lancaster, OH.

Diet and Behavior

Diet: Huckleberry, Gaylussacia baccata and sorrel tree, Oxydendrum arboreum - Braun (1916).

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Phyllonorycter diversella. 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 Phyllonorycter diversella - Hodges#0750 (5)

Phyllonorycter diversella - Hodges#0750 - photo 1
Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Robert H. Biagi
Phyllonorycter diversella - Hodges#0750 - photo 2
Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Robert H. Biagi
Phyllonorycter diversella - Hodges#0750 - photo 3
Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Robert H. Biagi
Phyllonorycter diversella - Hodges#0750 - photo 4
Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Robert H. Biagi
Phyllonorycter diversella - Hodges#0750 - photo 5
Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Robert H. Biagi

Photo credits: Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Robert H. Biagi

Frequently Asked Questions About Phyllonorycter diversella - Hodges#0750

How do you identify Phyllonorycter diversella - Hodges#0750?

Genitalia:

Where is Phyllonorycter diversella - Hodges#0750 found?

Range: Type locality: Lancaster, OH.

What does Phyllonorycter diversella - Hodges#0750 eat?

The diet of the Phyllonorycter diversella - Hodges#0750 includes Huckleberry, Gaylussacia baccata and sorrel tree, Oxydendrum arboreum - Braun (1916)..

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

Photo credits: Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Robert H. Biagi. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.