Prolita sexpunctella - Hodges#1898
Prolita sexpunctella
This record describes Prolita sexpunctella (species). Recorded family: Gelechiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Photo by Libby & Rick Avis of a specimen identified by DNA. A day flying species.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Gelechioidea
- Family
- Gelechiidae (Twirler Moths)
- Subfamily
- Gelechiinae
- Tribe
- Gelechiini
- Genus
- Prolita
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Usually found between 7,000 and 12,500' elevation.
Geographic Range
Alaska and across Canada south to Colorado, Utah and the southern Sierra Nevada of California. Also found throughout Europe.
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly from May to June
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Prolita sexpunctella. 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 Prolita sexpunctella - Hodges#1898 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Prolita sexpunctella - Hodges#1898
What is Prolita sexpunctella - Hodges#1898?
Prolita sexpunctella - Hodges#1898 (Prolita sexpunctella) is a species in the family Gelechiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Prolita sexpunctella - Hodges#1898?
Forewing length 7-8.5 mm.
How do you identify Prolita sexpunctella - Hodges#1898?
Photo by Libby & Rick Avis of a specimen identified by DNA.
Where is Prolita sexpunctella - Hodges#1898 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Usually found between 7,000 and 12,500' elevation. |
| Range | Alaska and across Canada south to Colorado, Utah and the southern Sierra Nevada of California. Also found throughout Europe. |
When is Prolita sexpunctella - Hodges#1898 active?
Prolita sexpunctella - Hodges#1898: seasonal activity - Adults fly from May to June.