Tebenna gemmalis - Hodges#2644
Tebenna gemmalis
This record describes Tebenna gemmalis (species). Recorded family: Choreutidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing dark yellow or orange in basal third, divided in two by dark longitudinal lines; remainder of wing dark gray, covered with whitish spots that give a dappled appearance; three black patches aligned longitudinally in distal half of wing, interspersed by two bands of cream-colored scales; hindwing brownish-gray with dark terminal line and long bicolored fringe
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Choreutoidea
- Family
- Choreutidae (Metalmark Moths)
- Subfamily
- Choreutinae
- Genus
- Tebenna
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
California to British Columbia
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from April to July in California
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Arrowleaf Balsamroot 9 Balsamorhiza saggitata in Asteraceae).
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Tebenna gemmalis. 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 Tebenna gemmalis - Hodges#2644 (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Tebenna gemmalis - Hodges#2644
What is Tebenna gemmalis - Hodges#2644?
Tebenna gemmalis - Hodges#2644 (Tebenna gemmalis) is a species in the family Choreutidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How do you identify Tebenna gemmalis - Hodges#2644?
Adult: forewing dark yellow or orange in basal third, divided in two by dark longitudinal lines; remainder of wing dark gray, covered with whitish spots that give a dappled appearance; three black patches aligned longitudinally in distal half of wing, interspersed by two bands of cream-colored scales; hindwing brownish-gray with dark terminal line and long bicolored fringe
Where is Tebenna gemmalis - Hodges#2644 found?
Range: California to British Columbia
What does Tebenna gemmalis - Hodges#2644 eat?
The diet of the Tebenna gemmalis - Hodges#2644 includes Arrowleaf Balsamroot 9 Balsamorhiza saggitata in Asteraceae)..
When is Tebenna gemmalis - Hodges#2644 active?
Tebenna gemmalis - Hodges#2644: seasonal activity - adults fly from April to July in California.