Omnivorous Leaf-roller - Hodges#3736
Platynota stultana
This record describes Platynota stultana (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
♂ ♀ Larvae - mature larvae are translucent, cream colored, and approximately 12-15mm long. The head and prothoracic shield are yellowish brown to dark brown. Pupae - Fully developed pupae are dark brown and range in size from 4.0-9.8mm long. BOLD:AAB6120 (CA, FL) BOLD:AAC5877 (CA)
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Tortricoidea
- Family
- Tortricidae (Tortricid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Tortricinae
- Tribe
- Sparganothini
- Genus
- Platynota
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Texas to California, Florida and the Atlantic states. South into Mexico. , Probably native to Arizona but introduced to southern California in shipments of peppers from western Mexico. Range has expanded to Sacramento Valley, San Francisco greenhouses and urban environments. Later Texas, Florida, and the Atlantic states.
Seasonal Activity
Year round in southern California and August to October farther north.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Numerous larval hosts including conifers and monocots.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet from Latin stultus meaning "foolish, stupid, ill-considered," likely for its "very long palpi."
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Platynota stultana. 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 Omnivorous Leaf-roller - Hodges#3736 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy , Blocky
Frequently Asked Questions About Omnivorous Leaf-roller - Hodges#3736
What is Omnivorous Leaf-roller - Hodges#3736?
Omnivorous Leaf-roller - Hodges#3736 (Platynota stultana) is a species in the family Tortricidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Omnivorous Leaf-roller - Hodges#3736?
Male forewing length 4-6 mm, female FWL 6.5-7 mm.
How do you identify Omnivorous Leaf-roller - Hodges#3736?
♂ ♀ Larvae - mature larvae are translucent, cream colored, and approximately 12-15mm long. The head and prothoracic shield are yellowish brown to dark brown. Pupae - Fully developed pupae are dark brown and range in size from 4.0-9.8mm long.
Where is Omnivorous Leaf-roller - Hodges#3736 found?
Range: Texas to California, Florida and the Atlantic states. South into Mexico. , Probably native to Arizona but introduced to southern California in shipments of peppers from western Mexico. Range has expanded to Sacramento Valley, San Francisco greenhouses and urban environments. Later Texas, Florida, and the Atlantic states.
What does Omnivorous Leaf-roller - Hodges#3736 eat?
The diet of the Omnivorous Leaf-roller - Hodges#3736 includes Numerous larval hosts including conifers and monocots..
When is Omnivorous Leaf-roller - Hodges#3736 active?
Omnivorous Leaf-roller - Hodges#3736: seasonal activity - Year round in southern California and August to October farther north..