Black-spotted Leafroller - Hodges#5797
Sciota virgatella
This record describes Sciota virgatella (species). Recorded family: Pyralidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
page creation based on Brian Scholtens' identification of this image , as reported by Bob Patterson
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Pyralidae (Pyralid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Phycitinae
- Tribe
- Phycitini
- Genus
- Sciota
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
eastern United States and southern Ontario
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Black Locust
Life History
Larva; larva; larva; pupa; adult
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Sciota virgatella. 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 Black-spotted Leafroller - Hodges#5797 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , ceiseman , marcie oconnor
Frequently Asked Questions About Black-spotted Leafroller - Hodges#5797
What is Black-spotted Leafroller - Hodges#5797?
Black-spotted Leafroller - Hodges#5797 (Sciota virgatella) is a species in the family Pyralidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Black-spotted Leafroller - Hodges#5797?
wingspan about 22 mm, based on photo by Jim Vargo at MPG
Where is Black-spotted Leafroller - Hodges#5797 found?
Range: eastern United States and southern Ontario
What does Black-spotted Leafroller - Hodges#5797 eat?
The diet of the Black-spotted Leafroller - Hodges#5797 includes Black Locust.
What is the life cycle of a Black-spotted Leafroller - Hodges#5797?
Larva; larva; larva; pupa; adult