Oak Stump Borer Moth - Hodges#2522
Paranthrene asilipennis
This record describes Paranthrene asilipennis (species). Recorded family: Sesiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Larva - white body with brown head, light brown thoracic shield and blackish mandibles.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Cossoidea
- Family
- Sesiidae (Clearwing Moths)
- Subfamily
- Tinthiinae
- Tribe
- Paranthrenini
- Genus
- Paranthrene
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Eastern half of the United States and Canada, west as far as Minnesota and Texas, south through Mexico and Central America. ,
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae bore in the low trunk and exposed roots of oaks and possibly ash and alder. Red oak often prefered. ,
Life History
Two year life cycle. See Engelhardt as well as Solomon in Print References.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet asilipennis is Latin for "gadfly winged ( Asilus )." ( 3 ) , ( 4 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Paranthrene asilipennis. 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 Oak Stump Borer Moth - Hodges#2522 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Tony; Additional contributions by anitagould , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Oak Stump Borer Moth - Hodges#2522
What is Oak Stump Borer Moth - Hodges#2522?
Oak Stump Borer Moth - Hodges#2522 (Paranthrene asilipennis) is a species in the family Sesiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Oak Stump Borer Moth - Hodges#2522?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Forewing | Forewing length 12-20 mm. |
| Wingspan | Wingspan: ♂ 28-38 mm, ♀ 36-46 mm. , Larva to 23-36 mm, largest in warmer climates. |
How do you identify Oak Stump Borer Moth - Hodges#2522?
Larva - white body with brown head, light brown thoracic shield and blackish mandibles.
Where is Oak Stump Borer Moth - Hodges#2522 found?
Range: Eastern half of the United States and Canada, west as far as Minnesota and Texas, south through Mexico and Central America. ,
What does Oak Stump Borer Moth - Hodges#2522 eat?
The diet of the Oak Stump Borer Moth - Hodges#2522 includes Larvae bore in the low trunk and exposed roots of oaks and possibly ash and alder. Red oak often prefered. ,.
What is the life cycle of a Oak Stump Borer Moth - Hodges#2522?
Two year life cycle. See Engelhardt as well as Solomon in Print References.