Vernonia Borer - Hodges#9507
Papaipema limpida
This record describes Papaipema limpida (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: FW dark brownish-gray with a line of 3 white spots in AM area and a cluster of white spots representing the reniform spot (in each case, the central spot is usually pale yellowish); PM line fairly smooth, gently curving near costa, straighter and paler near inner margin; no pale spots at base of wing; area beyond PM line slightly more grayish than remainder of wing; HW dirty white to pale brownish-gray, much paler than FW
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
weedy areas where larval foodplant grows; adults are nocturnal and come to light
Geographic Range
eastern United States: Oklahoma to North Carolina, north to Illinois and Michigan; type specimen collected in Illinois
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from late August to October
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae have been reported to feed within stems of burdock ( Arctium spp.) and Giant Ironweed ( Vernonia gigantea [=altissima] )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Papaipema limpida. 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 Vernonia Borer - Hodges#9507 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Robert Lord Zimlich
Frequently Asked Questions About Vernonia Borer - Hodges#9507
What is Vernonia Borer - Hodges#9507?
Vernonia Borer - Hodges#9507 (Papaipema limpida) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Vernonia Borer - Hodges#9507?
wingspan about 31 mm, based on photo by Jim Vargo at MPG
How do you identify Vernonia Borer - Hodges#9507?
Adult: FW dark brownish-gray with a line of 3 white spots in AM area and a cluster of white spots representing the reniform spot (in each case, the central spot is usually pale yellowish); PM line fairly smooth, gently curving near costa, straighter and paler near inner margin; no pale spots at base of wing; area beyond PM line slightly more grayish than remainder of wing; HW dirty white to pale brownish-gray, much paler than FW
Where is Vernonia Borer - Hodges#9507 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | weedy areas where larval foodplant grows; adults are nocturnal and come to light |
| Range | eastern United States: Oklahoma to North Carolina, north to Illinois and Michigan; type specimen collected in Illinois |
What does Vernonia Borer - Hodges#9507 eat?
The diet of the Vernonia Borer - Hodges#9507 includes larvae have been reported to feed within stems of burdock ( Arctium spp.) and Giant Ironweed ( Vernonia gigantea [=altissima] ).
When is Vernonia Borer - Hodges#9507 active?
Vernonia Borer - Hodges#9507: seasonal activity - adults fly from late August to October.