Sensitive Fern Borer - Hodges#9483
Papaipema inquaesita
This record describes Papaipema inquaesita (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing orange with dull orangish-brown shading beyond PM line except at apex, and sharply-angled median band (a distinctive feature); veins outlined with dark purplish-brown; spots inconspicuous, orange or whitish; PM line double, angled near middle, fairly smooth; hindwing yellowish with grayish-brown veins and shading [adapted from description by Charles Covell]
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 woodlands containing hostplant; adults are nocturnal and come to light
Geographic Range
Nova Scotia to Georgia, west to Louisiana, north to Wisconsin and Ontario
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from August to October
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on Sensitive Fern ( Onoclea sensibilis )
Life History
one generation per year
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Papaipema inquaesita. 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 Sensitive Fern Borer - Hodges#9483 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Sensitive Fern Borer - Hodges#9483
What is Sensitive Fern Borer - Hodges#9483?
Sensitive Fern Borer - Hodges#9483 (Papaipema inquaesita) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Sensitive Fern Borer - Hodges#9483?
wingspan 29-40 mm
How do you identify Sensitive Fern Borer - Hodges#9483?
Adult: forewing orange with dull orangish-brown shading beyond PM line except at apex, and sharply-angled median band (a distinctive feature); veins outlined with dark purplish-brown; spots inconspicuous, orange or whitish; PM line double, angled near middle, fairly smooth; hindwing yellowish with grayish-brown veins and shading [adapted from description by Charles Covell]
Where is Sensitive Fern Borer - Hodges#9483 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | damp woodlands containing hostplant; adults are nocturnal and come to light |
| Range | Nova Scotia to Georgia, west to Louisiana, north to Wisconsin and Ontario |
What does Sensitive Fern Borer - Hodges#9483 eat?
The diet of the Sensitive Fern Borer - Hodges#9483 includes larvae feed on Sensitive Fern ( Onoclea sensibilis ).
When is Sensitive Fern Borer - Hodges#9483 active?
Sensitive Fern Borer - Hodges#9483: seasonal activity - adults fly from August to October.
What is the life cycle of a Sensitive Fern Borer - Hodges#9483?
one generation per year