LepidopteraGelechiidae – Twirler Moths

Polyhymno acaciella - Hodges#2210

Polyhymno acaciella

This record describes Polyhymno acaciella (species). Recorded family: Gelechiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Polyhymno acaciella - Hodges#2210 - Polyhymno acaciella
Contributed by Ken Wolgemuth; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily
Gelechioidea
Family
Gelechiidae (Twirler Moths)
Subfamily
Thiotrichinae
Genus
Polyhymno

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

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

Type locality: Texas.

Diet and Behavior

Diet: Sweet Acacia, Vachellia farnesiana , (Busck 1900).

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Polyhymno acaciella. 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 Polyhymno acaciella - Hodges#2210 (4)

Polyhymno acaciella - Hodges#2210 - photo 1
Contributed by Ken Wolgemuth; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz
Polyhymno acaciella - Hodges#2210 - photo 2
Contributed by Ken Wolgemuth; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz
Polyhymno acaciella - Hodges#2210 - photo 3
Contributed by Ken Wolgemuth; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz
Polyhymno acaciella - Hodges#2210 - photo 4
Contributed by Ken Wolgemuth; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz

Photo credits: Contributed by Ken Wolgemuth; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz

Frequently Asked Questions About Polyhymno acaciella - Hodges#2210

How big is Polyhymno acaciella - Hodges#2210?

Wingspan: 12.5-14 mm (Busck 1900).

Where is Polyhymno acaciella - Hodges#2210 found?

Range: Type locality: Texas.

What does Polyhymno acaciella - Hodges#2210 eat?

The diet of the Polyhymno acaciella - Hodges#2210 includes Sweet Acacia, Vachellia farnesiana , (Busck 1900)..

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

Photo credits: Contributed by Ken Wolgemuth; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.