Slosson's Metalmark Moth - Hodges#2653
Tortyra slossonia
This record describes Tortyra slossonia (species). Recorded family: Choreutidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Fernald original description is online in the print references. Heppner has detailed description in PDF.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Choreutoidea
- Family
- Choreutidae (Metalmark Moths)
- Subfamily
- Choreutinae
- Genus
- Tortyra
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Heppner reported the range to include Florida; Bahamas. Lectotype female from Biscayne Bay, Florida, United States.
Seasonal Activity
Heppner reported January to December.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Heppner listed Ficus aurea (fig) (Moraceae)
Life History
Life cycle images: 1.larval tent 2.larva 3.adult
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Fernald (1900) named the species in honor of Annie Trumbull Slosson (1838 - 1926), an author and entomologist.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Tortyra slossonia. 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 Slosson's Metalmark Moth - Hodges#2653 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jeff Hollenbeck; Additional contributions by cotinis , Mike Quinn , Maury Heiman , marcie oconnor , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Slosson's Metalmark Moth - Hodges#2653
What is Slosson's Metalmark Moth - Hodges#2653?
Slosson's Metalmark Moth - Hodges#2653 (Tortyra slossonia) is a species in the family Choreutidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Slosson's Metalmark Moth - Hodges#2653?
Fernald listed a wingspan of 15 mm. Heppner listed the forewing length 5.2-6.5 mm.
How do you identify Slosson's Metalmark Moth - Hodges#2653?
Fernald original description is online in the print references. Heppner has detailed description in PDF.
Where is Slosson's Metalmark Moth - Hodges#2653 found?
Range: Heppner reported the range to include Florida; Bahamas. Lectotype female from Biscayne Bay, Florida, United States.
What does Slosson's Metalmark Moth - Hodges#2653 eat?
The diet of the Slosson's Metalmark Moth - Hodges#2653 includes Heppner listed Ficus aurea (fig) (Moraceae).
When is Slosson's Metalmark Moth - Hodges#2653 active?
Slosson's Metalmark Moth - Hodges#2653: seasonal activity - Heppner reported January to December..
What is the life cycle of a Slosson's Metalmark Moth - Hodges#2653?
Life cycle images: 1.larval tent 2.larva 3.adult