Symmetrischema fercularia - Hodges#2033
Symmetrischema fercularia
This record describes Symmetrischema fercularia (species). Recorded family: Gelechiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Meyrick original description is online in the print references. Specimen determined by DNA analysis (BOLD).
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Gelechioidea
- Family
- Gelechiidae (Twirler Moths)
- Subfamily
- Gelechiinae
- Tribe
- Gnorimoschemini
- Genus
- Symmetrischema
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Western Texas to California. Meyrick (1929) described the species from specimens collected in Alpine (5,000-8,000') and Ft. Davis (5,000'), Texas.
Seasonal Activity
Meyrick (1929) collected adults from March to May; November.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Symmetrischema fercularia. 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 Symmetrischema fercularia - Hodges#2033 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Symmetrischema fercularia - Hodges#2033
What is Symmetrischema fercularia - Hodges#2033?
Symmetrischema fercularia - Hodges#2033 (Symmetrischema fercularia) is a species in the family Gelechiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Symmetrischema fercularia - Hodges#2033?
Meyrick (1929) listed the wingspan 10-12 mm.
How do you identify Symmetrischema fercularia - Hodges#2033?
Meyrick original description is online in the print references. Specimen determined by DNA analysis (BOLD).
Where is Symmetrischema fercularia - Hodges#2033 found?
Range: Western Texas to California. Meyrick (1929) described the species from specimens collected in Alpine (5,000-8,000') and Ft. Davis (5,000'), Texas.
When is Symmetrischema fercularia - Hodges#2033 active?
Symmetrischema fercularia - Hodges#2033: seasonal activity - Meyrick (1929) collected adults from March to May; November..