Water Willow Stem Borer - Hodges#9467
Papaipema sulphurata
This record describes Papaipema sulphurata (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
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
Ponds where hostplant grows
Geographic Range
Southeastern Massachusetts Counties of: Bristol, Plymouth, Barnstable, Nantucket, Dukes
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly from mid-late September to early October
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Adults feed on nectar, larvae bore into Decodon verticillatus
Life History
Larvae bore into the stems of Decodon verticillatus and feed there until pupation, at which point they pupate in the stems of the plant
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Papaipema sulphurata. 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 Water Willow Stem Borer - Hodges#9467 (4)
Photo credits: Contributed by Teá Montagna
Frequently Asked Questions About Water Willow Stem Borer - Hodges#9467
Where is Water Willow Stem Borer - Hodges#9467 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Ponds where hostplant grows |
| Range | Southeastern Massachusetts Counties of: Bristol, Plymouth, Barnstable, Nantucket, Dukes |
What does Water Willow Stem Borer - Hodges#9467 eat?
The diet of the Water Willow Stem Borer - Hodges#9467 includes Adults feed on nectar, larvae bore into Decodon verticillatus.
When is Water Willow Stem Borer - Hodges#9467 active?
Water Willow Stem Borer - Hodges#9467: seasonal activity - Adults fly from mid-late September to early October.
What is the life cycle of a Water Willow Stem Borer - Hodges#9467?
Larvae bore into the stems of Decodon verticillatus and feed there until pupation, at which point they pupate in the stems of the plant