Red Pine Tip Moth - Hodges#2879
Rhyacionia busckana
This record describes Rhyacionia busckana (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Red Pine Tip Moth - Hodges#2879 (Rhyacionia busckana) is a species in the family Tortricidae, commonly known as tortricid moths, belonging to the order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths). It is classified within the subfamily Olethreutinae, tribe Eucosmini, superfamily Tortricoidea. This species belongs to the genus Rhyacionia (Pine Tip Moths). As a member of class Insecta, phylum Arthropoda, it is part of the kingdom Animalia. Size: Wingspan about 15 mm. Forewing length 4.5-9.5 mm.. Active during Adults appear to be most common from January to April..
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Tortricoidea
- Family
- Tortricidae (Tortricid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Olethreutinae
- Tribe
- Eucosmini
- Genus
- Rhyacionia (Pine Tip Moths)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Maine to British Columbia, south to FL and TX; also Oregon and Colorado ( 4 ) Type locality: Bellmore, Long Island, New York. ( 3 )
Seasonal Activity
Adults appear to be most common from January to April. ( 5 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Pinus sp. (pine)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Heinrich named the species in honor of his friend and fellow lepidopterist, August Busck .
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Rhyacionia busckana. 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 Red Pine Tip Moth - Hodges#2879 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy , JoAnneRusso
Frequently Asked Questions About Red Pine Tip Moth - Hodges#2879
What is Red Pine Tip Moth - Hodges#2879?
Red Pine Tip Moth - Hodges#2879 (Rhyacionia busckana) is a species in the family Tortricidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Red Pine Tip Moth - Hodges#2879?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | Wingspan about 15 mm. |
| Forewing | Forewing length 4.5-9.5 mm. |
Where is Red Pine Tip Moth - Hodges#2879 found?
Range: Maine to British Columbia, south to FL and TX; also Oregon and Colorado ( 4 ) Type locality: Bellmore, Long Island, New York. ( 3 )
What does Red Pine Tip Moth - Hodges#2879 eat?
The diet of the Red Pine Tip Moth - Hodges#2879 includes Pinus sp. (pine).
When is Red Pine Tip Moth - Hodges#2879 active?
Red Pine Tip Moth - Hodges#2879: seasonal activity - Adults appear to be most common from January to April. ( 5 ).