Sparganothis tunicana - Hodges#3713
Sparganothis tunicana
This record describes Sparganothis tunicana (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult - see original description in Print References.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Tortricoidea
- Family
- Tortricidae (Tortricid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Tortricinae
- Tribe
- Sparganothini
- Genus
- Sparganothis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Powell & Opler lists British Columbia to Idaho, Nevada and central California. MPG records include Montana. Syntypes (3 ♂ , 2 ♀): Lake County, California, May 10th, 1871. ,
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval hosts are composites (Compositae). ( 6 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet from the entomological term "tunicate" (each successive joint buried in the preceding funnel-shaped one) describing the palpi "projecting beyond the head scarcely more than its length; the apical joint depressed." ,
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Sparganothis tunicana. 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 Sparganothis tunicana - Hodges#3713 (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jason J. Dombroskie; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Sparganothis tunicana - Hodges#3713
What is Sparganothis tunicana - Hodges#3713?
Sparganothis tunicana - Hodges#3713 (Sparganothis tunicana) is a species in the family Tortricidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Sparganothis tunicana - Hodges#3713?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Forewing | Forewing length 5.5-9.5 mm. |
| Wingspan | Wingspan 16 mm. |
How do you identify Sparganothis tunicana - Hodges#3713?
Adult - see original description in Print References.
Where is Sparganothis tunicana - Hodges#3713 found?
Range: Powell & Opler lists British Columbia to Idaho, Nevada and central California. MPG records include Montana. Syntypes (3 ♂ , 2 ♀): Lake County, California, May 10th, 1871. ,
What does Sparganothis tunicana - Hodges#3713 eat?
The diet of the Sparganothis tunicana - Hodges#3713 includes Larval hosts are composites (Compositae). ( 6 ).