Silphius borer moth - Hodges#9498
Papaipema silphii
This record describes Papaipema silphii (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Bird (1915) original description is online and linked in the print references. Bird (1915) described the larvae pinkish with a large, brown head, and maturing to a length of 50 mm or more.
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
Papaipema silphii is found in prairie regions.
Geographic Range
Cuthrell reported the species in Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Moth Photographers Group map also includes Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, and West Virginia.
Seasonal Activity
The main flight period is August to October.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Bird (1915) listed Silphium terebinthinaceum (prairie rosinweed). Also Silphium laciniatum ( Matthew Kenne and MJ Hatfield ).
Life History
Bird (1915) reported the larva enter the blooming stems and bore to the root system. They eat through the root and pupate in the soil. Life Cycle images: larva in Silphium stem, larva, pre pupa, pupa, adult
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Papaipema silphii. 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 Silphius borer moth - Hodges#9498 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Robert Lord Zimlich , marcie oconnor
Frequently Asked Questions About Silphius borer moth - Hodges#9498
What is Silphius borer moth - Hodges#9498?
Silphius borer moth - Hodges#9498 (Papaipema silphii) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Silphius borer moth - Hodges#9498?
Bird (1915) reported a wingspan of 47-52 mm.
How do you identify Silphius borer moth - Hodges#9498?
Bird (1915) original description is online and linked in the print references. Bird (1915) described the larvae pinkish with a large, brown head, and maturing to a length of 50 mm or more.
Where is Silphius borer moth - Hodges#9498 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Papaipema silphii is found in prairie regions. |
| Range | Cuthrell reported the species in Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Moth Photographers Group map also includes Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, and West Virginia. |
What does Silphius borer moth - Hodges#9498 eat?
The diet of the Silphius borer moth - Hodges#9498 includes Bird (1915) listed Silphium terebinthinaceum (prairie rosinweed). Also Silphium laciniatum ( Matthew Kenne and MJ Hatfield )..
When is Silphius borer moth - Hodges#9498 active?
Silphius borer moth - Hodges#9498: seasonal activity - The main flight period is August to October..
What is the life cycle of a Silphius borer moth - Hodges#9498?
Bird (1915) reported the larva enter the blooming stems and bore to the root system. They eat through the root and pupate in the soil. Life Cycle images: larva in Silphium stem, larva, pre pupa, pupa, adult