Northern Pitch Twig Moth - Hodges#2892
Retinia albicapitana
This record describes Retinia albicapitana (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Tortricoidea
- Family
- Tortricidae (Tortricid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Olethreutinae
- Tribe
- Eucosmini
- Genus
- Retinia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
The Maritime Provinces of Canada to eastern British Columbia, Montana and Idaho. Types: MacDowall, Saskatchewan (J.C. Blumer ); Boulder Junction, WI (S.A. Rohwer ).
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly in June and July.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Jack pine, lodgepole pine, mugho pine, ponderosa pine, red pine, scots pine.
Life History
Eggs are laid in June. Larvae take two years to become adults.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet albicapitana from Latin meaning "white head."
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Retinia albicapitana. 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 Northern Pitch Twig Moth - Hodges#2892 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jay Greenberg; Additional contributions by Robin McLeod , Tony-2 , Randy Hardy , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Northern Pitch Twig Moth - Hodges#2892
How big is Northern Pitch Twig Moth - Hodges#2892?
Wingspan 16-23 mm.
Where is Northern Pitch Twig Moth - Hodges#2892 found?
Range: The Maritime Provinces of Canada to eastern British Columbia, Montana and Idaho. Types: MacDowall, Saskatchewan (J.C. Blumer ); Boulder Junction, WI (S.A. Rohwer ).
What does Northern Pitch Twig Moth - Hodges#2892 eat?
The diet of the Northern Pitch Twig Moth - Hodges#2892 includes Jack pine, lodgepole pine, mugho pine, ponderosa pine, red pine, scots pine..
When is Northern Pitch Twig Moth - Hodges#2892 active?
Northern Pitch Twig Moth - Hodges#2892: seasonal activity - Adults fly in June and July..
What is the life cycle of a Northern Pitch Twig Moth - Hodges#2892?
Eggs are laid in June. Larvae take two years to become adults.