Red Maple Borer - Hodges#2546
Synanthedon acerrubri
This record describes Synanthedon acerrubri (species). Recorded family: Sesiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Larva - body dull white, deeply segmented, with brown head that is wider than long.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Cossoidea
- Family
- Sesiidae (Clearwing Moths)
- Subfamily
- Sesiinae
- Tribe
- Synanthedonini
- Genus
- Synanthedon
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. ( 3 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae bore in the branches of of maples and boxelder ( Acer , Aceraceae), especially damaged areas, causing a slight swelling. Red and sugar maples are often prefered. ,
Life History
Unlike many Sesiidae this species completes its life cycle in a single year. See Solomon in Print References. ,
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Latin for "of Acer rubrum " ( Acer rubrum is the Red Maple)
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Synanthedon acerrubri. 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 Red Maple Borer - Hodges#2546 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Chuck Entz , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Red Maple Borer - Hodges#2546
What is Red Maple Borer - Hodges#2546?
Red Maple Borer - Hodges#2546 (Synanthedon acerrubri) is a species in the family Sesiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Red Maple Borer - Hodges#2546?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Forewing | Forewing length 6-10 mm. |
| Wingspan | Wingspan: ♂ 16-18 mm, ♀ 18-22 mm. Larva to 12 mm. |
How do you identify Red Maple Borer - Hodges#2546?
Larva - body dull white, deeply segmented, with brown head that is wider than long.
Where is Red Maple Borer - Hodges#2546 found?
Range: Eastern half of the United States and Canada. ( 3 )
What does Red Maple Borer - Hodges#2546 eat?
The diet of the Red Maple Borer - Hodges#2546 includes Larvae bore in the branches of of maples and boxelder ( Acer , Aceraceae), especially damaged areas, causing a slight swelling. Red and sugar maples are often prefered. ,.
What is the life cycle of a Red Maple Borer - Hodges#2546?
Unlike many Sesiidae this species completes its life cycle in a single year. See Solomon in Print References. ,