Turtle head borer moth - Hodges#9490
Papaipema nepheleptena
This record describes Papaipema nepheleptena (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Dyar original description as Gortyna nepheleptena is online and linked in the print references. Beadle & Leckie reported the species to be uncommon.
Identification notes
Dyar (1908) original description as Gortyna nepheleptena is online and linked in the print references.
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
Geographic Range
Beadle & Leckie reported the range to include southeastern Canada and northeastern United States.
Seasonal Activity
The main flight period appears to be August to October. ( 3 ) , ( 4 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The larvae bore into the stems of Chelone sp. (turtlehead). Also Verbena hastata .
Life History
Larva, adult
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Papaipema nepheleptena. 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 Turtle head borer moth - Hodges#9490 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by marcie oconnor , dennepj10
Frequently Asked Questions About Turtle head borer moth - Hodges#9490
What is Turtle head borer moth - Hodges#9490?
Turtle head borer moth - Hodges#9490 (Papaipema nepheleptena) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Turtle head borer moth - Hodges#9490?
Dyar (1908) listed a wingspan of 33 mm.
How do you identify Turtle head borer moth - Hodges#9490?
Dyar (1908) original description as Gortyna nepheleptena is online and linked in the print references.
Where is Turtle head borer moth - Hodges#9490 found?
Range: Beadle & Leckie reported the range to include southeastern Canada and northeastern United States.
What does Turtle head borer moth - Hodges#9490 eat?
The diet of the Turtle head borer moth - Hodges#9490 includes The larvae bore into the stems of Chelone sp. (turtlehead). Also Verbena hastata ..
When is Turtle head borer moth - Hodges#9490 active?
Turtle head borer moth - Hodges#9490: seasonal activity - The main flight period appears to be August to October. ( 3 ) , ( 4 ).
What is the life cycle of a Turtle head borer moth - Hodges#9490?
Larva, adult