Chestnut Borer - Hodges#2577
Synanthedon castaneae
This record describes Synanthedon castaneae (species). Recorded family: Sesiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Larva - body white with brown head and light brown thoracic shield and spriracles. ( 3 ) Re-discovered in the 1980's in Connecticut using pheromone lures and has since been collected all along the east coast to Florida. This specimen was collected by G.P. Engelhardt of the U.S. National Museum. The specimen is one of 30 specimens found in the National Museum. considered by VA to be a Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) ( 4 )
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
Closely mirrors the range of American chestnut thoughout the eastern third of the United States. ,
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae bore in the trunks of American chestnut ( Castanea dentata ), prefering damaged trees. , ,
Life History
See Solomon in Print References.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Named for the genus of American chestnut ( Castanea ).
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Synanthedon castaneae. 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 Chestnut Borer - Hodges#2577 (4)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by john and jane balaban , Mike Quinn , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Chestnut Borer - Hodges#2577
What is Chestnut Borer - Hodges#2577?
Chestnut Borer - Hodges#2577 (Synanthedon castaneae) is a species in the family Sesiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Chestnut Borer - Hodges#2577?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | Wingspan: ♂ 17-20, ♀ 22-28 mm. |
| Forewing | Forewing length 10-12 mm. Larva to 22 mm. |
How do you identify Chestnut Borer - Hodges#2577?
Larva - body white with brown head and light brown thoracic shield and spriracles. ( 3 )
Where is Chestnut Borer - Hodges#2577 found?
Range: Closely mirrors the range of American chestnut thoughout the eastern third of the United States. ,
What does Chestnut Borer - Hodges#2577 eat?
The diet of the Chestnut Borer - Hodges#2577 includes Larvae bore in the trunks of American chestnut ( Castanea dentata ), prefering damaged trees. , ,.
What is the life cycle of a Chestnut Borer - Hodges#2577?
See Solomon in Print References.