Longleaf Pine Seedworm Moth - Hodges#3487
Cydia ingens
This record describes Cydia ingens (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
To separate from the similar Cydia toreuta: In Cydia ingens the PM band is usually broken. There is one short bar on the costa between the PM band and ST band. There is no gap present between the black terminal line and ST band.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Tortricoidea
- Family
- Tortricidae (Tortricid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Olethreutinae
- Tribe
- Grapholitini
- Genus
- Cydia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Type locality: St. Petersburg, FL.
Geographic Range
SC, GA, FLA, ALA, MISS and probably throughout the range of its favored host
Seasonal Activity
mid-March to mid-May
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Longleaf pine
Life History
Eggs are laid in rows of 2-9 on scale apophyses of 1-year-old cones. Young larvae bore downward and enter the seeds through the micropyle. Larvae feed during the first 2 instars, each in a seed, vacating it and tunneling through the cone in search of another seed. Before reaching maturity each larva may consume 2-5 seeds. At maturity, the larva bores into the rachis and tunnels toward the base for 1-2 inches. Overwinter in the larval stage in the tunnel. One generation per year except for occasional individuals that enter diapause.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Cydia ingens. 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 Longleaf Pine Seedworm Moth - Hodges#3487 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Steve Nanz; Additional contributions by John Morgan , Marci Hess
Frequently Asked Questions About Longleaf Pine Seedworm Moth - Hodges#3487
What is Longleaf Pine Seedworm Moth - Hodges#3487?
Longleaf Pine Seedworm Moth - Hodges#3487 (Cydia ingens) is a species in the family Tortricidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Longleaf Pine Seedworm Moth - Hodges#3487?
Adult 17-20mm
How do you identify Longleaf Pine Seedworm Moth - Hodges#3487?
To separate from the similar Cydia toreuta: In Cydia ingens the PM band is usually broken. There is one short bar on the costa between the PM band and ST band. There is no gap present between the black terminal line and ST band.
Where is Longleaf Pine Seedworm Moth - Hodges#3487 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Type locality: St. Petersburg, FL. |
| Range | SC, GA, FLA, ALA, MISS and probably throughout the range of its favored host |
What does Longleaf Pine Seedworm Moth - Hodges#3487 eat?
The diet of the Longleaf Pine Seedworm Moth - Hodges#3487 includes Longleaf pine.
When is Longleaf Pine Seedworm Moth - Hodges#3487 active?
Longleaf Pine Seedworm Moth - Hodges#3487: seasonal activity - mid-March to mid-May.
What is the life cycle of a Longleaf Pine Seedworm Moth - Hodges#3487?
Eggs are laid in rows of 2-9 on scale apophyses of 1-year-old cones. Young larvae bore downward and enter the seeds through the micropyle. Larvae feed during the first 2 instars, each in a seed, vacating it and tunneling through the cone in search of another seed. Before reaching maturity each larva may consume 2-5 seeds. At maturity, the larva bores into the rachis and tunnels toward the base for 1-2 inches. Overwinter in the larval stage in the tunnel. One generation per year except for occasional individuals that enter diapause.