LepidopteraTortricidae – Tortricid Moths

Retinia picicolana - Hodges#2901

Retinia picicolana

This record describes Retinia picicolana (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Retinia picicolana - Hodges#2901 - Retinia picicolana
Contributed by Jason J. Dombroskie; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy

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

BugGuide and MPG records from Alaska and British Columbia south into California. Also, Idaho. Type locality: Paradise Valley, Mount Rainier, Washington (Mr. H.E. Burke ).

Diet and Behavior

Diet: Known hosts include: spruce ( Picea ). subalpine fir ( Abies lasiocarpa ). grand fir ( Abies grandis ).

Additional species information

Species notes from the sources

Etymology: Specific epithet from genus Picae and Latin cola meaning "dwells in spruce."

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Retinia picicolana. 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 Retinia picicolana - Hodges#2901 (5)

Retinia picicolana - Hodges#2901 - photo 1
Contributed by Jason J. Dombroskie; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy
Retinia picicolana - Hodges#2901 - photo 2
Contributed by Jason J. Dombroskie; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy
Retinia picicolana - Hodges#2901 - photo 3
Contributed by Jason J. Dombroskie; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy
Retinia picicolana - Hodges#2901 - photo 4
Contributed by Jason J. Dombroskie; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy
Retinia picicolana - Hodges#2901 - photo 5
Contributed by Jason J. Dombroskie; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy

Photo credits: Contributed by Jason J. Dombroskie; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy

Frequently Asked Questions About Retinia picicolana - Hodges#2901

How big is Retinia picicolana - Hodges#2901?

Wingspan 27-32 mm.

Where is Retinia picicolana - Hodges#2901 found?

Range: BugGuide and MPG records from Alaska and British Columbia south into California. Also, Idaho. Type locality: Paradise Valley, Mount Rainier, Washington (Mr. H.E. Burke ).

What does Retinia picicolana - Hodges#2901 eat?

The diet of the Retinia picicolana - Hodges#2901 includes Known hosts include: spruce ( Picea ). subalpine fir ( Abies lasiocarpa ). grand fir ( Abies grandis )..

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

Photo credits: Contributed by Jason J. Dombroskie; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.