Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Tortricidae
- Subfamily: Tortricinae
- Tribe: Cochylini
- Genus: Aethes Hübner, 1825
- Species: Aethes hoenei
Authority
The species was formally described by Liu & Bai in 1993 (original description: Liu, Y. & Bai, J. “A new species of Aethes from China (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae).” Entomotaxonomia 15(4): 359‑361, 1993).
Diagnostic Characteristics
- Wingspan: Approximately 12–15 mm.
- Forewing pattern: Ground colour typically pale beige to light brown with distinct darker brown maculation; a characteristic median fascia and costal markings are present, aiding identification within the genus.
- Hindwing: Greyish‑white, semi‑transparent.
- Genitalia: Male and female genital structures conform to the diagnostic features of the Aethes group, notably the shape of the valvae and signum, as illustrated in the original description.
Distribution
- Geographic range: Endemic to China, with confirmed records from the provinces of Sichuan and Yunnan.
- Habitat: Occurs in temperate forested regions and montane shrublands at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 2,300 m above sea level.
Biology and Ecology
- Flight period: Adults have been collected primarily in late June through August, suggesting a summer emergence.
- Host plants: Specific larval host plants have not been documented; however, many Aethes species utilize herbaceous plants in the families Asteraceae and Lamiaceae.
Conservation Status
- The species has not been evaluated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). No specific threats have been reported, and its conservation status remains unassessed.
References
- Liu, Y., & Bai, J. (1993). A new species of Aethes from China (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Entomotaxonomia, 15(4), 359‑361.
- Razowski, J. (2003). World Catalogue of the Tortricidae (Lepidoptera). Acta Zoologica Cracoviensia, 46(4), 297‑337.
- Tortricidae.com – Online catalogue of Tortricidae species (accessed 2024).
Notes
- The epithet “hoenei” honours the entomologist Dr. Hermann Höne, who made significant contributions to lepidopteran collections in China.
- No molecular phylogenetic data are currently available for Aethes hoenei.
This entry summarizes the currently available encyclopedic information on Aethes hoenei as of 2024.
