Xenolechia ontariensis - Hodges#1878
Xenolechia ontariensis
This record describes Xenolechia ontariensis (species). Recorded family: Gelechiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Identification from photos is difficult for this group. Specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD) Genitalia: ♀ ♂
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Gelechioidea
- Family
- Gelechiidae (Twirler Moths)
- Subfamily
- Gelechiinae
- Tribe
- Litini
- Genus
- Xenolechia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Manitoba to Texas in eastern North America. Records from Arizona and possibly California. Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
Seasonal Activity
Adults are most common from April to July. (MPG)
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Xenolechia ontariensis. 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 Xenolechia ontariensis - Hodges#1878 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Xenolechia ontariensis - Hodges#1878
What is Xenolechia ontariensis - Hodges#1878?
Xenolechia ontariensis - Hodges#1878 (Xenolechia ontariensis) is a species in the family Gelechiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How do you identify Xenolechia ontariensis - Hodges#1878?
Identification from photos is difficult for this group. Specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD) Genitalia: ♀ ♂
Where is Xenolechia ontariensis - Hodges#1878 found?
Range: Manitoba to Texas in eastern North America. Records from Arizona and possibly California. Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
When is Xenolechia ontariensis - Hodges#1878 active?
Xenolechia ontariensis - Hodges#1878: seasonal activity - Adults are most common from April to July. (MPG).