Spruce Coneworm - Hodges#5843
Dioryctria reniculelloides
This record describes Dioryctria reniculelloides (species). Recorded family: Pyralidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing brownish-gray with black zigzag AM and PM lines, bordered by white; dull yellowish shading inside AM line at inner margin, and sometimes beyond PM line; irregular white discal spot in median area; lacks black blotch inside AM line at costa; hindwing light brownish-gray with pale fringe. lack of spine in aedeagus.
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
Habitat
coniferous and mixed forests; adults are nocturnal and come to light
Geographic Range
Nova Scotia to Alaska, south in the east to New York, and south in the west to California and New Mexico
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from June to August
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed primarily on cones (and sometimes shoots and needles) of spruce ( Picea spp.); secondary hosts include Douglas-fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii ), hemlock, fir, and Lodgepole Pine ( Pinus contorta )
Life History
One generation per year; eggs are laid on hostplant in late summer and hatch before winter; overwinters as a first-instar larva without feeding; larvae feed during following spring, and pupate in late June and early July The eggs hatch in about 10 days and the young larvae, without feeding, spin hibernaculae where they spend the winter.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Dioryctria reniculelloides. 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 Spruce Coneworm - Hodges#5843 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Marci Hess , JoAnneRusso
Frequently Asked Questions About Spruce Coneworm - Hodges#5843
What is Spruce Coneworm - Hodges#5843?
Spruce Coneworm - Hodges#5843 (Dioryctria reniculelloides) is a species in the family Pyralidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Spruce Coneworm - Hodges#5843?
wingspan about 23 mm, based on photo by Jim Vargo at MPG larvae length to 18 mm
How do you identify Spruce Coneworm - Hodges#5843?
Adult: forewing brownish-gray with black zigzag AM and PM lines, bordered by white; dull yellowish shading inside AM line at inner margin, and sometimes beyond PM line; irregular white discal spot in median area; lacks black blotch inside AM line at costa; hindwing light brownish-gray with pale fringe. lack of spine in aedeagus.
Where is Spruce Coneworm - Hodges#5843 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | coniferous and mixed forests; adults are nocturnal and come to light |
| Range | Nova Scotia to Alaska, south in the east to New York, and south in the west to California and New Mexico |
What does Spruce Coneworm - Hodges#5843 eat?
The diet of the Spruce Coneworm - Hodges#5843 includes larvae feed primarily on cones (and sometimes shoots and needles) of spruce ( Picea spp.); secondary hosts include Douglas-fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii ), hemlock, fir, and Lodgepole Pine ( Pinus contorta ).
When is Spruce Coneworm - Hodges#5843 active?
Spruce Coneworm - Hodges#5843: seasonal activity - adults fly from June to August.
What is the life cycle of a Spruce Coneworm - Hodges#5843?
One generation per year; eggs are laid on hostplant in late summer and hatch before winter; overwinters as a first-instar larva without feeding; larvae feed during following spring, and pupate in late June and early July The eggs hatch in about 10 days and the young larvae, without feeding, spin hibernaculae where they spend the winter.