Pseudotebenna carduiella - Hodges#2649
Pseudotebenna carduiella
This record describes Pseudotebenna carduiella (species). Recorded family: Choreutidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Often confused with Tebenna gnaphaliella , a similar species found throughout the range of P. carduiella . T. gnaphaliella is smaller (WS 7.4–10mm) than P. carduiella (WS 11.5–14mm). Genitalia:
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Choreutoidea
- Family
- Choreutidae (Metalmark Moths)
- Subfamily
- Choreutinae
- Genus
- Pseudotebenna
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Coastal plain from Corpus Christi, TX to Block Island, RI; found throughout coastal states of the Southeast but probably limited to immediate coastline north of VA, where the species is known only from Cape May and Essex Cos., NJ (type series and other specimens coll. 1900–1905); Montauk, NY ; and Block Island, RI. Heppner reported a single record from northern IL but may not have been able to examine the specimen himself. TL: Anglesea, Cape May Co., NJ
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The larvae feed on thistle ( Cirsium ), boring into the stems.
Life History
See Kearfott in Print References for description of life cycle.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet from the former generic placement of the host plant, Carduus .
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Pseudotebenna carduiella. 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 Pseudotebenna carduiella - Hodges#2649 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy , Blocky , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Pseudotebenna carduiella - Hodges#2649
What is Pseudotebenna carduiella - Hodges#2649?
Pseudotebenna carduiella - Hodges#2649 (Pseudotebenna carduiella) is a species in the family Choreutidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Pseudotebenna carduiella - Hodges#2649?
WS reported as 10–13mm by Kearfott and 11.5–14mm by Heppner.
How do you identify Pseudotebenna carduiella - Hodges#2649?
Often confused with Tebenna gnaphaliella , a similar species found throughout the range of P. carduiella . T. gnaphaliella is smaller (WS 7.4–10mm) than P. carduiella (WS 11.5–14mm). Genitalia:
Where is Pseudotebenna carduiella - Hodges#2649 found?
Range: Coastal plain from Corpus Christi, TX to Block Island, RI; found throughout coastal states of the Southeast but probably limited to immediate coastline north of VA, where the species is known only from Cape May and Essex Cos., NJ (type series and other specimens coll. 1900–1905); Montauk, NY ; and Block Island, RI. Heppner reported a single record from northern IL but may not have been able to examine the specimen himself. TL: Anglesea, Cape May Co., NJ
What does Pseudotebenna carduiella - Hodges#2649 eat?
The diet of the Pseudotebenna carduiella - Hodges#2649 includes The larvae feed on thistle ( Cirsium ), boring into the stems..
What is the life cycle of a Pseudotebenna carduiella - Hodges#2649?
See Kearfott in Print References for description of life cycle.