LepidopteraPyralidae – Pyralid Moths

Dioryctria erythropasa - Hodges#5848

Dioryctria erythropasa

This record describes Dioryctria erythropasa (species). Recorded family: Pyralidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Dioryctria erythropasa - Hodges#5848 - Dioryctria erythropasa
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

The Heinrich revised description is available in PDF or view online in the print references below. The original description as Pinipestis erythropasa Dyar, is also available online. - Dioryctria erythropasa larvae are considered a pest of pine tree production from Mexico to Central America.

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily
Pyraloidea
Family
Pyralidae (Pyralid Moths)
Subfamily
Phycitinae
Tribe
Phycitini
Genus
Dioryctria

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

Arizona. , Mexico to Central America. Holotype collected in Chiricahua National Forest, Arizona. Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.

Seasonal Activity

Adults are most common in May, and August to September. ,

Diet and Behavior

Diet: The larvae feed on the cones of many Pinus species including Pinus chihuahuana (Chihuahuan pine).

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Dioryctria erythropasa. 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.

Explore Lepidoptera families and species →

Photos of Dioryctria erythropasa - Hodges#5848 (5)

Dioryctria erythropasa - Hodges#5848 - photo 1
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Dioryctria erythropasa - Hodges#5848 - photo 2
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Dioryctria erythropasa - Hodges#5848 - photo 3
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Dioryctria erythropasa - Hodges#5848 - photo 4
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman
Dioryctria erythropasa - Hodges#5848 - photo 5
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Frequently Asked Questions About Dioryctria erythropasa - Hodges#5848

What is Dioryctria erythropasa - Hodges#5848?

Dioryctria erythropasa - Hodges#5848 (Dioryctria erythropasa) is a species in the family Pyralidae, within the order Lepidoptera.

How big is Dioryctria erythropasa - Hodges#5848?

Wingspan 23-28 mm.

How do you identify Dioryctria erythropasa - Hodges#5848?

The Heinrich revised description is available in PDF or view online in the print references below. The original description as Pinipestis erythropasa Dyar, is also available online. -

Where is Dioryctria erythropasa - Hodges#5848 found?

Range: Arizona. , Mexico to Central America. Holotype collected in Chiricahua National Forest, Arizona. Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.

What does Dioryctria erythropasa - Hodges#5848 eat?

The diet of the Dioryctria erythropasa - Hodges#5848 includes The larvae feed on the cones of many Pinus species including Pinus chihuahuana (Chihuahuan pine)..

When is Dioryctria erythropasa - Hodges#5848 active?

Dioryctria erythropasa - Hodges#5848: seasonal activity - Adults are most common in May, and August to September. ,.

How we use and review source data. Source count does not imply independent verification.

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.