Maple Twig Borer Moth - Hodges#3230
Proteoteras aesculana
This record describes Proteoteras aesculana (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult - forewing mottled brown or gray and yellowish (often with greenish tint in fresh specimens); irregular blackish crescent-shaped marking begins mid-way along costa and either breaks in subterminal area or terminates in a dark blob before reaching apex; hindwing pale gray with dark veins. Genitalia: ♀ ♂ Larva - body pale white to gray; head dark brown or yellowish-brown; thoracic shield yellowish-brown, often darker laterally and posteriorly; spinules on integument moderately dense and dark.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Tortricoidea
- Family
- Tortricidae (Tortricid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Olethreutinae
- Tribe
- Eucosmini
- Genus
- Proteoteras
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Deciduous woods containing maple; adults are nocturnal and come to light.
Geographic Range
Nova Scotia to British Columbia and all of United States.
Seasonal Activity
Adults emerge in July and August.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae bore in new twigs, petioles, and seeds of various maple species ( Acer ), buckeye ( Aesculus ) and sometimes apple. ( 3 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet from the genus of one of the host plants ( Aesculus ).
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Proteoteras aesculana. 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 Maple Twig Borer Moth - Hodges#3230 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Tony-2 , anitagould , Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy , Marci Hess , Kyhl Austin , Blocky , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Maple Twig Borer Moth - Hodges#3230
What is Maple Twig Borer Moth - Hodges#3230?
Maple Twig Borer Moth - Hodges#3230 (Proteoteras aesculana) is a species in the family Tortricidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Maple Twig Borer Moth - Hodges#3230?
Wingspan 14-17 mm. Larva length to 10 mm.
How do you identify Maple Twig Borer Moth - Hodges#3230?
Adult - forewing mottled brown or gray and yellowish (often with greenish tint in fresh specimens); irregular blackish crescent-shaped marking begins mid-way along costa and either breaks in subterminal area or terminates in a dark blob before reaching apex; hindwing pale gray with dark veins. Genitalia: ♀ ♂ Larva - body pale white to gray; head dark brown or yellowish-brown; thoracic shield yellowish-brown, often darker laterally and posteriorly; spinules on integument moderately dense and dark.
Where is Maple Twig Borer Moth - Hodges#3230 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Deciduous woods containing maple; adults are nocturnal and come to light. |
| Range | Nova Scotia to British Columbia and all of United States. |
What does Maple Twig Borer Moth - Hodges#3230 eat?
The diet of the Maple Twig Borer Moth - Hodges#3230 includes Larvae bore in new twigs, petioles, and seeds of various maple species ( Acer ), buckeye ( Aesculus ) and sometimes apple. ( 3 ).
When is Maple Twig Borer Moth - Hodges#3230 active?
Maple Twig Borer Moth - Hodges#3230: seasonal activity - Adults emerge in July and August..