Current and historical spatial distributions of Aroga websteri (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), regarding climatic and elevation trends

Historical and current records of defoliation caused by the sagebrush defoliator, Aroga websteri in the western United States from the late 1930s through 2008 were examined along associated regional climatic trends. Temperature, precipitation, and snow accumulation data compiled by the Utah State University Climate Center were analyzed with the relevant defoliator outbreak regions from the time leading up to major defoliation episodes through the apparent decline of the population.