Northern Pine Sphinx - Hodges#7817
Lapara bombycoides
This record describes Lapara bombycoides (species). Recorded family: Sphingidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing gray with heavy black curved AM and zigzag PM lines bordered proximally by pale shading, and distally by dark shading; two or three black dashes in median area, and usually some brownish shading along inner margin near base; hindwing unmarked, brownish-gray, paler toward base Larva: body green with 6 prominent pale yellow stripes, those below spiracles broader, whiter, and occasionally interrupted; dorsum, spiracular areas, and prolegs may be marked with reddish patches; head triangular, front often rusty-colored, and with yellow line running from antenna to crown; horn absent [adapted from description by David Wagner and Valerie Giles]
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Bombycoidea
- Family
- Sphingidae (Sphinx Moths)
- Subfamily
- Sphinginae
- Tribe
- Sphingini
- Genus
- Lapara
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
Alberta to Nova Scotia, south to Georgia, west to Minnesota (rare in southeastern states; US distribution map shows confirmed records from Florida but the species is not on the List of Florida Lepidoptera )
Seasonal Activity
adults fly in June and July larvae in August and September
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on foliage of Red Pine ( Pinus resinosa ), Pitch Pine ( P. rigida ), Scots Pine ( P. sylvestris ), and Tamarack ( Larix laricina )
Life History
one generation per year; overwinters as a pupa in the soil
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Species name bombycoides from Greek bomby silkmoth, silk; plus oide like, form .
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Lapara bombycoides. 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 Northern Pine Sphinx - Hodges#7817 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by cotinis , john and jane balaban , anitagould , Maury Heiman , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Northern Pine Sphinx - Hodges#7817
What is Northern Pine Sphinx - Hodges#7817?
Northern Pine Sphinx - Hodges#7817 (Lapara bombycoides) is a species in the family Sphingidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Northern Pine Sphinx - Hodges#7817?
wingspan 45-60 mm
How do you identify Northern Pine Sphinx - Hodges#7817?
Adult: forewing gray with heavy black curved AM and zigzag PM lines bordered proximally by pale shading, and distally by dark shading; two or three black dashes in median area, and usually some brownish shading along inner margin near base; hindwing unmarked, brownish-gray, paler toward base Larva: body green with 6 prominent pale yellow stripes, those below spiracles broader, whiter, and occasionally interrupted; dorsum, spiracular areas, and prolegs may be marked with reddish patches; head triangular, front often rusty-colored, and with yellow line running from antenna to crown; horn absent [adapted from description by David Wagner and Valerie Giles]
Where is Northern Pine Sphinx - Hodges#7817 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | coniferous and mixed forests; adults are nocturnal and come to light |
| Range | Alberta to Nova Scotia, south to Georgia, west to Minnesota (rare in southeastern states; US distribution map shows confirmed records from Florida but the species is not on the List of Florida Lepidoptera ) |
What does Northern Pine Sphinx - Hodges#7817 eat?
The diet of the Northern Pine Sphinx - Hodges#7817 includes larvae feed on foliage of Red Pine ( Pinus resinosa ), Pitch Pine ( P. rigida ), Scots Pine ( P. sylvestris ), and Tamarack ( Larix laricina ).
When is Northern Pine Sphinx - Hodges#7817 active?
Northern Pine Sphinx - Hodges#7817: seasonal activity - adults fly in June and July larvae in August and September.
What is the life cycle of a Northern Pine Sphinx - Hodges#7817?
one generation per year; overwinters as a pupa in the soil