Oak Gall Borer - Hodges#2571
Synanthedon decipiens
This record describes Synanthedon decipiens (species). Recorded family: Sesiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult - see Solomon in Print References. Adults attracted to (Z,Z)-3,13-ODDA and (Z,Z)-3,13-ODDA/(E,Z)-3,13-ODDA/(Z,Z)-3,13-ODDOH blended pheromone lures (Meyer & Cranshaw, 1994).
Identification notes
Adult - see Solomon in Print References.
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 two thirds of the United States and Canada, from Ontario south to Florida, west to Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado. ,
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae tunnel in the galls of cynipid wasps and occasionally in the bark of various oaks. ,
Life History
See Solomon in Print References.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Decipiens is Latin meaning "deceiving."
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Synanthedon decipiens. 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 Oak Gall Borer - Hodges#2571 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Oak Gall Borer - Hodges#2571
What is Oak Gall Borer - Hodges#2571?
Oak Gall Borer - Hodges#2571 (Synanthedon decipiens) is a species in the family Sesiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Oak Gall Borer - Hodges#2571?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Forewing | Forewing length 8-10 mm. |
| Wingspan | Wingspan 13-18 mm. , Larva to about 13 mm. |
How do you identify Oak Gall Borer - Hodges#2571?
Adult - see Solomon in Print References.
Where is Oak Gall Borer - Hodges#2571 found?
Range: Eastern two thirds of the United States and Canada, from Ontario south to Florida, west to Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado. ,
What does Oak Gall Borer - Hodges#2571 eat?
The diet of the Oak Gall Borer - Hodges#2571 includes Larvae tunnel in the galls of cynipid wasps and occasionally in the bark of various oaks. ,.
What is the life cycle of a Oak Gall Borer - Hodges#2571?
See Solomon in Print References.