Teaweed Moth - Hodges#2209.1
Stegasta capitella
This record describes Stegasta capitella (species). Recorded family: Gelechiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The head and thorax of the adult is white. The very similar Stegasta bosquella has only the front of the head white with the rest of the head and thorax dark brown/blackish.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Gelechioidea
- Family
- Gelechiidae (Twirler Moths)
- Subfamily
- Gelechiinae
- Tribe
- Gelechiini
- Genus
- Stegasta
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Stegasta capitella occurs in areas where peanuts are grown.
Geographic Range
TX, FL / W. Indies - Map (BG data) (Heppner 2003)
Seasonal Activity
Heppner (2003) reported February to August, October, December in Florida. ( 3 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The larval host is peanut. Heppner (2003) listed Sida spinosa L. (prickly fanpetals). ( 3 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Stegasta capitella. 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 Teaweed Moth - Hodges#2209.1 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Teaweed Moth - Hodges#2209.1
What is Teaweed Moth - Hodges#2209.1?
Teaweed Moth - Hodges#2209.1 (Stegasta capitella) is a species in the family Gelechiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Teaweed Moth - Hodges#2209.1?
Forewing length about 4 mm.
How do you identify Teaweed Moth - Hodges#2209.1?
The head and thorax of the adult is white. The very similar Stegasta bosquella has only the front of the head white with the rest of the head and thorax dark brown/blackish.
Where is Teaweed Moth - Hodges#2209.1 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Stegasta capitella occurs in areas where peanuts are grown. |
| Range | TX, FL / W. Indies - Map (BG data) (Heppner 2003) |
What does Teaweed Moth - Hodges#2209.1 eat?
The diet of the Teaweed Moth - Hodges#2209.1 includes The larval host is peanut. Heppner (2003) listed Sida spinosa L. (prickly fanpetals). ( 3 ).
When is Teaweed Moth - Hodges#2209.1 active?
Teaweed Moth - Hodges#2209.1: seasonal activity - Heppner (2003) reported February to August, October, December in Florida. ( 3 ).