Gelechia

Hübner, [1825]

Species Guides

10

Gelechia is a of small in the Gelechiidae, first described by Hübner in 1825. The type is Gelechia rhombella. Species in this genus are associated with various plants including cotton (Gossypium), juniper (Juniperus), and Palo Verde trees (Parkinsonia). Some species have been moved to other genera based on morphological revisions, such as Gelechia acanthopis which was transferred to the new genus Sitotrogoides. The genus has been recorded from Europe, Asia, and North America.

Gelechia dromicella by (c) Dave, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Dave. Used under a CC-BY license.Gelechia sabinellus by (c) Donald Hobern, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.Gelechia grissefasciella by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Gelechia: //ɡəˈlɛkiə//

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Habitat

varies by . Gelechia senticetella inhabits juniper woodlands in Bulgaria. Gelechia gossypiella is found in cotton agroecosystems, persisting in fields between harvest and subsequent sowing. Former members of this , such as those now placed in Faculta, occur in Sonoran Desert habitats on Palo Verde trees.

Distribution

Recorded from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden based on GBIF distribution records. Individual have broader ranges: Gelechia senticetella in Bulgaria; Gelechia gossypiella in cotton-growing regions (implied from Egypt and general cotton distribution); and former members in southwestern North America (southern California, Arizona, southern New Mexico, Baja California Sur).

Host Associations

  • Gossypium - Gelechia gossypiella associated with cotton; inferred from epithet and study context
  • Juniperus excelsa - Gelechia senticetella is a pest of this juniper in Bulgaria

Life Cycle

varies by . Gelechia gossypiella persists through the inter-harvest period in cotton fields, with tracking from cotton harvest to subsequent sowing. Gelechia senticetella is attacked by primarily during larval stages, with killed before .

Ecological Role

Some function as agricultural pests. Gelechia senticetella serves as for a complex of 16 species in Bulgaria, including primary parasitoids (Braconidae, Ichneumonidae, Eulophidae, Eupelmidae, Encyrtidae, Pteromalidae) and hyperparasitoids. rates in this system reached 57.9% in peak years.

Human Relevance

Gelechia gossypiella is a cotton pest of agricultural concern, with studies conducted by agricultural services. Gelechia senticetella is a pest of ornamental and forest juniper. Historical taxonomic confusion has occurred, with placed in this later transferred to other genera (e.g., Faculta, Sitotrogoides).

Similar Taxa

  • Sitotrogoides established for Gelechia acanthopis based on male genital ; distinguished by lack of muscle m3 in musculoskeletal apparatus
  • FacultaFormerly included now placed here; Faculta inaequalis was previously known as Gelechia inaequalis and G. clistrodoma

More Details

Taxonomic revisions

Gelechia acanthopis Meyrick, 1932 was transferred to the new Sitotrogoides based on functional of male genitalia, specifically the lack of muscle m3 which associates it with Sitotroga rather than other Pexicopiini genera. New records from Korea extended its known distribution beyond Japan.

Parasitoid complex

In Bulgaria, Gelechia senticetella 16 : Habrobracon stabilis, Hormius moniliatus, Phanerotoma tritoma (Braconidae); Diadegma consumptor, Liotryphon cydiae, Scambus pomorum, Scambus foliae, Pimpla turionellae, Eudelus simillimus, Mesochorus sp. (Ichneumonidae); Sympiesis acalle, Aprostocetus sp. (Eulophidae); Eupelmus urozonus (Eupelmidae); Copidosoma thompsoni (Encyrtidae); Calliprymna bisetosa, Mesopolobus sp. (Pteromalidae). Three species are hyperparasitoids.

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