Sunflower Bud Moth - Hodges#3212
Suleima helianthana
This record describes Suleima helianthana (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD). Serious pest of commercial sunflower producers.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Tortricoidea
- Family
- Tortricidae (Tortricid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Olethreutinae
- Tribe
- Eucosmini
- Genus
- Suleima
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Central North America from Mexico to Canada.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae tunnel into the stalks and buds of sunflowers species ( Helianthus ).
Life History
Two generations occur in the northern plains http://www.insectimages.org (USDA) - photograph of larva.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet from the host plant genus ( Helianthus ).
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Suleima helianthana. 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 Sunflower Bud Moth - Hodges#3212 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by John F. Carr; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy , Kyhl Austin
Frequently Asked Questions About Sunflower Bud Moth - Hodges#3212
What is Sunflower Bud Moth - Hodges#3212?
Sunflower Bud Moth - Hodges#3212 (Suleima helianthana) is a species in the family Tortricidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Sunflower Bud Moth - Hodges#3212?
Wingspan 15-20 mm. [cite:1473847,319]
How do you identify Sunflower Bud Moth - Hodges#3212?
Specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD).
Where is Sunflower Bud Moth - Hodges#3212 found?
Range: Central North America from Mexico to Canada.
What does Sunflower Bud Moth - Hodges#3212 eat?
The diet of the Sunflower Bud Moth - Hodges#3212 includes Larvae tunnel into the stalks and buds of sunflowers species ( Helianthus )..
What is the life cycle of a Sunflower Bud Moth - Hodges#3212?
Two generations occur in the northern plains http://www.insectimages.org (USDA) - photograph of larva.