Western Willow Borer - Hodges#2570
Synanthedon albicornis
This record describes Synanthedon albicornis (species). Recorded family: Sesiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Larva - body white with brown head, light brown cervical shield with curved lines. Males respond well to Z-ODDA pheromone baits.
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
California and Washington, east through the Rockies, north to British Columbia and Northwest Territory. ,
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly from June to September. ( 3 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The larvae bore in the bark of large trees, exposed roots, limbs and canes of various species of willows ( Salix , Salicaceae). Henne reared them on the upper branches of Salix lasiandra and S. laevigata .
Life History
See Solomon in Print References.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific name albicornis is Latin for "white-horned", no doubt referring to the antennae.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Synanthedon albicornis. 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 Western Willow Borer - Hodges#2570 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Chuck Entz , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Western Willow Borer - Hodges#2570
What is Western Willow Borer - Hodges#2570?
Western Willow Borer - Hodges#2570 (Synanthedon albicornis) is a species in the family Sesiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Western Willow Borer - Hodges#2570?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Forewing | Forewing length 8-11 mm. |
| Wingspan | Wingspan 16-22 mm. |
How do you identify Western Willow Borer - Hodges#2570?
Larva - body white with brown head, light brown cervical shield with curved lines.
Where is Western Willow Borer - Hodges#2570 found?
Range: California and Washington, east through the Rockies, north to British Columbia and Northwest Territory. ,
What does Western Willow Borer - Hodges#2570 eat?
The diet of the Western Willow Borer - Hodges#2570 includes The larvae bore in the bark of large trees, exposed roots, limbs and canes of various species of willows ( Salix , Salicaceae). Henne reared them on the upper branches of Salix lasiandra and S. laevigata ..
When is Western Willow Borer - Hodges#2570 active?
Western Willow Borer - Hodges#2570: seasonal activity - Adults fly from June to September. ( 3 ).
What is the life cycle of a Western Willow Borer - Hodges#2570?
See Solomon in Print References.