Coneflower Borer - Hodges#9502
Papaipema nelita
This record describes Papaipema nelita (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing orangish-brown to grayish-brown with reniform, orbicular, and claviform spots either white and conspicuous or dark brown and showing little contrast against ground color; subterminal area grayer than rest of wing; PM line almost straight but appears to be toothed due to dark wing veins projecting into subterminal area; ST line irregular/jagged; a dark brown or blackish medial line runs from reniform spot to inner margin; 4 or 5 tiny pale dots along costa near apex Genitalia: ♀
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 grasslands where foodplants grow
Geographic Range
Nova Scotia to North Carolina, west to Illinois, north to Manitoba; also recorded in Arizona
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from August to October
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae bore into stems and roots of Cutleaf Coneflower ( Rudbeckia laciniata ), called Green-headed Coneflower in Peterson's Guide to Eastern Wildflowers also reported on burdock (Ohio State U.)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Strecker, 1898
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Papaipema nelita. 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 Coneflower Borer - Hodges#9502 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by marcie oconnor , Fyn Kynd , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Coneflower Borer - Hodges#9502
What is Coneflower Borer - Hodges#9502?
Coneflower Borer - Hodges#9502 (Papaipema nelita) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Coneflower Borer - Hodges#9502?
length is 20 mm, wingspan is 30-35 mm
How do you identify Coneflower Borer - Hodges#9502?
Adult: forewing orangish-brown to grayish-brown with reniform, orbicular, and claviform spots either white and conspicuous or dark brown and showing little contrast against ground color; subterminal area grayer than rest of wing; PM line almost straight but appears to be toothed due to dark wing veins projecting into subterminal area; ST line irregular/jagged; a dark brown or blackish medial line runs from reniform spot to inner margin; 4 or 5 tiny pale dots along costa near apex Genitalia: ♀
Where is Coneflower Borer - Hodges#9502 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | damp meadows and grasslands where foodplants grow |
| Range | Nova Scotia to North Carolina, west to Illinois, north to Manitoba; also recorded in Arizona |
What does Coneflower Borer - Hodges#9502 eat?
The diet of the Coneflower Borer - Hodges#9502 includes larvae bore into stems and roots of Cutleaf Coneflower ( Rudbeckia laciniata ), called Green-headed Coneflower in Peterson's Guide to Eastern Wildflowers also reported on burdock (Ohio State U.).
When is Coneflower Borer - Hodges#9502 active?
Coneflower Borer - Hodges#9502: seasonal activity - adults fly from August to October.