Joe-Pye-Weed Borer - Hodges#9501
Papaipema eupatorii
This record describes Papaipema eupatorii (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
forewing dark grayish-brown with sparse dusting of tiny pale flecks; reniform, orbicular, and claviform spots represented by vague dark smudges; PM line straight, untoothed, showing sharp contrast between dark median area and paler subterminal area hindwing light gray with faint gray veins and terminal line The photo of a Coneflower Borer , previously misidentified as Joe-Pye-Weed Borer and mistakenly placed on this page, has been moved to the Papaipema nelita page.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Apameini
- Genus
- Papaipema (Borer Moths)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
damp meadows and riparian areas where food plant grows
Geographic Range
eastern North America: Nova Scotia to Georgia, west to Illinois, north to Manitoba (but apparently missing from Ontario)
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from August to October
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae bore into stems and roots of joe-pye-weed ( Eupatorium spp.)
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Papaipema eupatorii. 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 Joe-Pye-Weed Borer - Hodges#9501 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by marcie oconnor
Frequently Asked Questions About Joe-Pye-Weed Borer - Hodges#9501
What is Joe-Pye-Weed Borer - Hodges#9501?
Joe-Pye-Weed Borer - Hodges#9501 (Papaipema eupatorii) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Joe-Pye-Weed Borer - Hodges#9501?
wingspan 35-40 mm ?
How do you identify Joe-Pye-Weed Borer - Hodges#9501?
forewing dark grayish-brown with sparse dusting of tiny pale flecks; reniform, orbicular, and claviform spots represented by vague dark smudges; PM line straight, untoothed, showing sharp contrast between dark median area and paler subterminal area hindwing light gray with faint gray veins and terminal line
Where is Joe-Pye-Weed Borer - Hodges#9501 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | damp meadows and riparian areas where food plant grows |
| Range | eastern North America: Nova Scotia to Georgia, west to Illinois, north to Manitoba (but apparently missing from Ontario) |
What does Joe-Pye-Weed Borer - Hodges#9501 eat?
The diet of the Joe-Pye-Weed Borer - Hodges#9501 includes larvae bore into stems and roots of joe-pye-weed ( Eupatorium spp.).
When is Joe-Pye-Weed Borer - Hodges#9501 active?
Joe-Pye-Weed Borer - Hodges#9501: seasonal activity - adults fly from August to October.