Zelleria celastrusella - Hodges#2425
Zelleria celastrusella
This record describes Zelleria celastrusella (species). Recorded family: Yponomeutidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult/Larva/Pupa - see original description in Print References.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Yponomeutoidea
- Family
- Yponomeutidae (Ermine Moths)
- Subfamily
- Yponomeutinae
- Genus
- Zelleria
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Type locality: Essex County, New Jersey.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval host is American bittersweet ( Celastrus scandens ).
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet from the host plant genus ( Celastrus ).
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Zelleria celastrusella. 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 Zelleria celastrusella - Hodges#2425 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by ceiseman , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Zelleria celastrusella - Hodges#2425
What is Zelleria celastrusella - Hodges#2425?
Zelleria celastrusella - Hodges#2425 (Zelleria celastrusella) is a species in the family Yponomeutidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Zelleria celastrusella - Hodges#2425?
Wingspan 13-16 mm. Mature larva 9-10 mm.
How do you identify Zelleria celastrusella - Hodges#2425?
Adult/Larva/Pupa - see original description in Print References.
Where is Zelleria celastrusella - Hodges#2425 found?
Range: Type locality: Essex County, New Jersey.
What does Zelleria celastrusella - Hodges#2425 eat?
The diet of the Zelleria celastrusella - Hodges#2425 includes Larval host is American bittersweet ( Celastrus scandens )..