Pelochrista hennei

Henne's Eucosman Moth

Family: Tortricidae · Class: Insecta · Order: Lepidoptera

Conservation status: G1 S1

Henne's eucosman moth (Pelochrista hennei) is a small tortricid moth endemic to California. The species belongs to the family Tortricidae, a diverse group of micro-moths commonly known as leafroller moths. As a member of the genus Pelochrista, this species likely exhibits the typical characteristics of eucosman moths, including forewings that are held roof-like over the body when at rest and distinctive wing patterns that aid in species identification. The species occurs exclusively in California, representing one of the state's endemic lepidopteran fauna. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Henne's eucosman moth is found in California counties, though specific distributional records remain limited in the scientific literature. The moth's restricted range contributes to its conservation concern, as indicated by its Global and State rank of G1 S1, denoting it as critically imperiled both globally and within California. Habitat requirements for Henne's eucosman moth have not been thoroughly documented in available scientific literature. Like other members of the genus Pelochrista, the species likely inhabits areas that support its larval host plants, though specific host plant associations for this species remain poorly characterized. Many tortricid moths are associated with specific plant families or genera, and their larvae typically feed within rolled or folded leaves, giving the family its common name of leafroller moths. The behavioral ecology and life history of Henne's eucosman moth are not well documented in current scientific literature. Adult flight periods, mating behaviors, and larval development patterns have not been extensively studied or reported. The species' classification within Tortricidae suggests it likely follows typical patterns for the family, with larvae developing within plant tissues and adults emerging for reproduction during favorable environmental conditions. Henne's eucosman moth currently holds no federal listing status under the Endangered Species Act, as confirmed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service records as of December 2025. However, the species is designated as a Species of Concern and appears on the USFWS list of eligible unlisted species for traditional conservation grants, indicating recognition of its conservation needs. The G1 S1 ranking assigned by NatureServe reflects the species' critical conservation status, indicating fewer than 1,000 individuals or fewer than five occurrences are believed to exist. The primary conservation challenges facing this species likely relate to its extremely limited distribution and small population size. California's diverse landscapes face ongoing pressures from habitat conversion, climate change, and other anthropogenic factors that particularly threaten endemic species with restricted ranges. The lack of detailed ecological information about this moth represents a significant knowledge gap that hampers conservation planning efforts. Scientific documentation for this species remains limited. The information presented here synthesizes available data from federal species databases and conservation assessments. Detailed ecological studies, including host plant identification, habitat requirements, and population assessments, are needed to develop effective conservation strategies for Henne's eucosman moth.

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, and more.