Sunflower moth - Hodges#5935
Homoeosoma electellum
This record describes Homoeosoma electellum (species). Recorded family: Pyralidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Powell & Opler (2009) ( 3 ) reported two color phases in both sexes. Gray with a white subcostal streak. Tan with or without the subcostal streak. Specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD). ( 4 ) Heinrich (1921) description of larva in PDF. ( 5 )
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Pyralidae (Pyralid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Phycitinae
- Tribe
- Phycitini
- Genus
- Homoeosoma
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Heppner reported the range as North Carolina to Florida ; Washington to California; West Indies; Mexico to Guatemala. Moth Photographers Group map displays records throughout the southeastern states to Nebraska and Texas; British Columbia to California. Pohl et al. reported Alberta, Canada. Powell & Opler stated the species "occurs across the continent."
Seasonal Activity
Heppner reported January to August; October to December.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Heppner and Powell & Opler reported many host plants. Anthemis sp. Aster sp. Bidens sp. Chrysanthemum sp. Citrus sinensis (sweet orange) Coreopis sp. Dahlia sp. Echinacea sp. Gossypium sp. Helianthus sp. (sunflower) Heliopsis sp. Opuntia sp. (Cactaceae) Rudbeckia sp. Tagetes sp. Verbesina sp. Viguiera sp.
Life History
Oviposits preferentially on newly-opened flowers. In the absence of pollen, calling behavior may be delayed for up to 2 weeks. ( 9 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Homoeosoma electellum. 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 Sunflower moth - Hodges#5935 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Mike Quinn , nebbeetle , Maury Heiman , JohnMaxwell22 , Marci Hess
Frequently Asked Questions About Sunflower moth - Hodges#5935
What is Sunflower moth - Hodges#5935?
Sunflower moth - Hodges#5935 (Homoeosoma electellum) is a species in the family Pyralidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Sunflower moth - Hodges#5935?
Hulst (1887) listed the wingspan 15-24 mm. Powell & Opler (2009) reported the forewing length 7.5-12 mm. ( 3 )
How do you identify Sunflower moth - Hodges#5935?
Powell & Opler (2009) ( 3 ) reported two color phases in both sexes. Gray with a white subcostal streak. Tan with or without the subcostal streak. Specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD). ( 4 ) Heinrich (1921) description of larva in PDF. ( 5 )
Where is Sunflower moth - Hodges#5935 found?
Range: Heppner reported the range as North Carolina to Florida ; Washington to California; West Indies; Mexico to Guatemala. Moth Photographers Group map displays records throughout the southeastern states to Nebraska and Texas; British Columbia to California. Pohl et al. reported Alberta, Canada. Powell & Opler stated the species occurs across the continent.
What does Sunflower moth - Hodges#5935 eat?
The diet of the Sunflower moth - Hodges#5935 includes Heppner and Powell & Opler reported many host plants. Anthemis sp. Aster sp. Bidens sp. Chrysanthemum sp. Citrus sinensis (sweet orange) Coreopis sp. Dahlia sp. Echinacea sp. Gossypium sp. Helianthus sp. (sunflower) Heliopsis sp. Opuntia sp. (Cactaceae) Rudbeckia sp. Tagetes sp. Verbesina sp. Viguiera sp..
When is Sunflower moth - Hodges#5935 active?
Sunflower moth - Hodges#5935: seasonal activity - Heppner reported January to August; October to December..
What is the life cycle of a Sunflower moth - Hodges#5935?
Oviposits preferentially on newly-opened flowers. In the absence of pollen, calling behavior may be delayed for up to 2 weeks. ( 9 )