Hickory Shoot Borer Moth - Hodges#5664
Acrobasis caryae
This record describes Acrobasis caryae (species). Recorded family: Pyralidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Larvae - head reddish brown to dark reddish brown usually with dark-brown maculation. Dorsum of body pale yellowish green; dorsum of thorax mostly pale yellow; overlap of segments pale yellow, in some larvae becoming pink; venter pale yellowish green. [Randy Hardy]
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Pyralidae (Pyralid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Phycitinae
- Tribe
- Phycitini
- Genus
- Acrobasis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Overwinter as larvae in a small case near the base of a bud. Second generation larvae bore into newly-set nuts. Older larva feed on the shucks only and cause little or no damage. 3-4 generations per year in the south.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: named for the genus of its host Carya (Hickory)
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Acrobasis caryae. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Hickory Shoot Borer Moth - Hodges#5664 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy , Marci Hess
Frequently Asked Questions About Hickory Shoot Borer Moth - Hodges#5664
What is Hickory Shoot Borer Moth - Hodges#5664?
Hickory Shoot Borer Moth - Hodges#5664 (Acrobasis caryae) is a species in the family Pyralidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Hickory Shoot Borer Moth - Hodges#5664?
Larvae mature at 12.5-15.3 mm.
How do you identify Hickory Shoot Borer Moth - Hodges#5664?
Larvae - head reddish brown to dark reddish brown usually with dark-brown maculation. Dorsum of body pale yellowish green; dorsum of thorax mostly pale yellow; overlap of segments pale yellow, in some larvae becoming pink; venter pale yellowish green. [Randy Hardy]
What is the life cycle of a Hickory Shoot Borer Moth - Hodges#5664?
Overwinter as larvae in a small case near the base of a bud. Second generation larvae bore into newly-set nuts. Older larva feed on the shucks only and cause little or no damage. 3-4 generations per year in the south.