Loosestrife Borer - Hodges#9479
Papaipema lysimachiae
This record describes Papaipema lysimachiae (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing yellowish-orange in median area with dark orangish-brown patches basally and between reniform and orbicular spots; orbicular and claviform spots large white rounded rectangles, sometimes joined (claviform spot may be divided in two); reniform spot outlined with small white spots; PM line black, straight for most of length but with rounded angle near costa; dark purplish-brown shading beyond PM line hindwing pale yellowsish with light grayish-brown shading; veins and thin terminal line darker
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
sedge meadows and open damp areas where food plant grows; adults are nocturnal and attracted to light
Geographic Range
New Brunswick to Georgia, west to Illinois, north to Wisconsin and Ontario
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from August to October
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae bore into stems and roots of Whorled Yellow Loosestrife ( Lysimachia quadrifolia )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Papaipema lysimachiae. 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 Loosestrife Borer - Hodges#9479 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Loosestrife Borer - Hodges#9479
What is Loosestrife Borer - Hodges#9479?
Loosestrife Borer - Hodges#9479 (Papaipema lysimachiae) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Loosestrife Borer - Hodges#9479?
wingspan 28-35 mm
How do you identify Loosestrife Borer - Hodges#9479?
Adult: forewing yellowish-orange in median area with dark orangish-brown patches basally and between reniform and orbicular spots; orbicular and claviform spots large white rounded rectangles, sometimes joined (claviform spot may be divided in two); reniform spot outlined with small white spots; PM line black, straight for most of length but with rounded angle near costa; dark purplish-brown shading beyond PM line hindwing pale yellowsish with light grayish-brown shading; veins and thin terminal line darker
Where is Loosestrife Borer - Hodges#9479 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | sedge meadows and open damp areas where food plant grows; adults are nocturnal and attracted to light |
| Range | New Brunswick to Georgia, west to Illinois, north to Wisconsin and Ontario |
What does Loosestrife Borer - Hodges#9479 eat?
The diet of the Loosestrife Borer - Hodges#9479 includes larvae bore into stems and roots of Whorled Yellow Loosestrife ( Lysimachia quadrifolia ).
When is Loosestrife Borer - Hodges#9479 active?
Loosestrife Borer - Hodges#9479: seasonal activity - adults fly from August to October.