Pecan Bark Borer - Hodges#2547
Synanthedon geliformis
This record describes Synanthedon geliformis (species). Recorded family: Sesiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult - see Brown & Mizell and/or Engelhardt in Print References. , Larva - white with a darker line on each side of the prothoracic shield, head more wide 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
South Carolina south through all of Florida, eastern Mexico and the West Indies. ,
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Polyphageous, rare amoung Sesiidae. Larvae bore in species of pecan and hickory ( Carya , Juglandaceae), oak ( Quercus , Fagaceae), dogwood ( Cornus , Cornaceae), elm ( Ulmus , Ulmaceae), rosemallow ( Hibiscus , Malvaceae), and sheoak ( Casuarina , Casuarinaceae). Have been reared from galls on oaks caused by gall wasps ( Andricus spp.). ,
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Synanthedon geliformis. 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 Pecan Bark Borer - Hodges#2547 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ethan Kistler; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Pecan Bark Borer - Hodges#2547
What is Pecan Bark Borer - Hodges#2547?
Pecan Bark Borer - Hodges#2547 (Synanthedon geliformis) is a species in the family Sesiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Pecan Bark Borer - Hodges#2547?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Forewing | Forewing length 6-9 mm. |
| Wingspan | Wingspan: ♂ 15-16 mm, ♀ 16-20 mm. Larva to 10-15 mm. |
How do you identify Pecan Bark Borer - Hodges#2547?
Adult - see Brown & Mizell and/or Engelhardt in Print References. , Larva - white with a darker line on each side of the prothoracic shield, head more wide than long.
Where is Pecan Bark Borer - Hodges#2547 found?
Range: South Carolina south through all of Florida, eastern Mexico and the West Indies. ,
What does Pecan Bark Borer - Hodges#2547 eat?
The diet of the Pecan Bark Borer - Hodges#2547 includes Polyphageous, rare amoung Sesiidae. Larvae bore in species of pecan and hickory ( Carya , Juglandaceae), oak ( Quercus , Fagaceae), dogwood ( Cornus , Cornaceae), elm ( Ulmus , Ulmaceae), rosemallow ( Hibiscus , Malvaceae), and sheoak ( Casuarina , Casuarinaceae). Have been reared from galls on oaks caused by gall wasps ( Andricus spp.). ,.