Filatima

Busck, 1939

Species Guides

23

Filatima is a large of small in the Gelechiidae, comprising approximately 76 with a Holarctic distribution. The genus is characterized by distinctive male and female genitalia with deeply separated segment VIII into free and sternum. Several species have been documented as early colonizers of disturbed , including volcanic landscapes.

Filatima obidenna by (c) jimeckert49, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.Filatima obidenna by (c) jimeckert49, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.Filatima obidenna by (c) Don Loarie, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Filatima: /fiː.laˈtiː.ma/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Deeply separated segment VIII in genitalia, with free and sternum, serves as a putative synapomorphy distinguishing Filatima from related Gelechiinae . Male and female genitalia show peculiar with no clear relation to other genera.

Images

Habitat

Mountainous regions at elevations between 1200 and 2600 m; early successional including volcanic landscapes with revegetating vegetation.

Distribution

Holarctic; majority of from North America (57 Nearctic species); Palaearctic region including Europe, Russia, Turkey, North Macedonia, Central Asia (Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan).

Seasonality

collected from mid-April to late July.

Host Associations

  • Lupinus - Filatima loowita specifically associated with lupine on Mount St. Helens

Behavior

Early colonizer of disturbed volcanic ; some documented as herbivores contributing to early successional dynamics.

Ecological Role

Early successional herbivore; contributes to herbivore and plant-insect interactions in post-disturbance .

Human Relevance

Filatima caterpillars have been observed affecting revegetation efforts, notably stunting recovery of land destroyed by the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption in Washington.

Sources and further reading