Many-dotted Appleworm - Hodges#9662
Balsa malana
This record describes Balsa malana (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult - forewing gray, darker in median, but paler in basal and subterminal areas and along costal edge; antemedial line broad zig-zag across wing; double postmedial line distinct only at costal edge, with inner part of double line longer than outer part, giving impression of a letter Y; darker gray median area has lighter spot near lighter area at costa; subterminal area partially crossed by a zig-zag line and shows faint, fine dark lines at the veins [adapted from description by Lynn Scott] Larva - Small, stout, heavily spotted; somewhat spindle-shaped, thickest through the thoracic segments. Pinacula often white; other spots frequently with yellow cast. Head also heavily spotted. Prolegs short, inconspicuous from above, those on A3 and A4 slightly reduced. Spiracles orange. Anal prolegs directed backward. Larva less than 2 cm. Much shorter and stockier than our other eastern Balsa.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Balsinae
- Genus
- Balsa
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Orchards, parks and yards, and woodlands
Geographic Range
Eastern North America
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly from May to August Larvae in June and July
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on leaves of apple, cherry, elm, pear, plum
Life History
Two generations per year Larva; Adult Female; Adult Male:
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Balsa malana. 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 Many-dotted Appleworm - Hodges#9662 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Lynette Elliott; Additional contributions by Robin McLeod , Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Many-dotted Appleworm - Hodges#9662
What is Many-dotted Appleworm - Hodges#9662?
Many-dotted Appleworm - Hodges#9662 (Balsa malana) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How do you identify Many-dotted Appleworm - Hodges#9662?
Adult - forewing gray, darker in median, but paler in basal and subterminal areas and along costal edge; antemedial line broad zig-zag across wing; double postmedial line distinct only at costal edge, with inner part of double line longer than outer part, giving impression of a letter Y; darker gray median area has lighter spot near lighter area at costa; subterminal area partially crossed by a zig-zag line and shows faint, fine dark lines at the veins [adapted from description by Lynn Scott] Larva - Small, stout, heavily spotted; somewhat spindle-shaped, thickest through the thoracic segments. Pinacula often white; other spots frequently with yellow cast. Head also heavily spotted. Prolegs short, inconspicuous from above, those on A3 and A4 slightly reduced. Spiracles orange. Anal prolegs directed backward. Larva less than 2 cm. Much shorter and stockier than our other eastern Balsa.
Where is Many-dotted Appleworm - Hodges#9662 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Orchards, parks and yards, and woodlands |
| Range | Eastern North America |
What does Many-dotted Appleworm - Hodges#9662 eat?
The diet of the Many-dotted Appleworm - Hodges#9662 includes Larvae feed on leaves of apple, cherry, elm, pear, plum.
When is Many-dotted Appleworm - Hodges#9662 active?
Many-dotted Appleworm - Hodges#9662: seasonal activity - Adults fly from May to August Larvae in June and July.
What is the life cycle of a Many-dotted Appleworm - Hodges#9662?
Two generations per year Larva; Adult Female; Adult Male: