Palm Leaf Skeletonizer - Hodges#1422
Homaledra sabalella
This record describes Homaledra sabalella (species). Recorded family: Pterolonchidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The chalcid wasp Horismenus ignotus is likely the primary pasasite of the larva. ( 76 )
Wikipedia reference for Homaledra sabalella: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homaledra_sabalella.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Gelechioidea
- Family
- Pterolonchidae
- Genus
- Homaledra
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Heppner listed the range as South Carolina to Florida, Mississippi to Texas.
Seasonal Activity
Heppner reported adults in Florida from January to September.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: ( 3 )
Life History
Eggs are laid in masses on the interleaf husks. There are no hibernation stages. ( 4 ) Can be up 5 generations per year. ( 4 ) Palm Leaf Skeletonizer life cycle photos: 1.leaf damage 2.larva 3.larva 4.frass covered cocoons 5.adult
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Homaledra sabalella. 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 Palm Leaf Skeletonizer - Hodges#1422 (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jeff Hollenbeck; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , marcie oconnor , Randy Hardy , Marci Hess
Frequently Asked Questions About Palm Leaf Skeletonizer - Hodges#1422
What is Palm Leaf Skeletonizer - Hodges#1422?
Palm Leaf Skeletonizer - Hodges#1422 (Homaledra sabalella) is a species in the family Pterolonchidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Palm Leaf Skeletonizer - Hodges#1422?
Wingspan about 18 mm. Larva to 12 mm.
Where is Palm Leaf Skeletonizer - Hodges#1422 found?
Range: Heppner listed the range as South Carolina to Florida, Mississippi to Texas.
What does Palm Leaf Skeletonizer - Hodges#1422 eat?
The diet of the Palm Leaf Skeletonizer - Hodges#1422 includes ( 3 ).
When is Palm Leaf Skeletonizer - Hodges#1422 active?
Palm Leaf Skeletonizer - Hodges#1422: seasonal activity - Heppner reported adults in Florida from January to September..
What is the life cycle of a Palm Leaf Skeletonizer - Hodges#1422?
Eggs are laid in masses on the interleaf husks. There are no hibernation stages. ( 4 ) Can be up 5 generations per year. ( 4 ) Palm Leaf Skeletonizer life cycle photos: 1.leaf damage 2.larva 3.larva 4.frass covered cocoons 5.adult