Synanthedon helenis - Hodges#2564
Synanthedon helenis
This record describes Synanthedon helenis (species). Recorded family: Sesiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing mostly hyaline (clear) except for dark brownish-black scales on veins; discal bar prominent, slanted slightly toward apex, and has a few orange scales mixed with mostly black ones; outer half of area between discal bar and outer margin filled with dusky orange-brown scaling; hindwing hyaline except for veins; all wings have prominent dark fringes; antennae dark to black; abdomen dark to black with pale yellow band around second and fifth abdominal segments (adapted from description at U. of Alberta).
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
Habitat
Mixedwood forests; peatlands.
Geographic Range
Western Ontario to Alberta. Type Location: Earl Grey, Saskatchewon.
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly in June and July in Alberta.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Synanthedon helenis. 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 Synanthedon helenis - Hodges#2564 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Synanthedon helenis - Hodges#2564
What is Synanthedon helenis - Hodges#2564?
Synanthedon helenis - Hodges#2564 (Synanthedon helenis) is a species in the family Sesiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Synanthedon helenis - Hodges#2564?
Wingspan 17-22 mm.
How do you identify Synanthedon helenis - Hodges#2564?
Adult: forewing mostly hyaline (clear) except for dark brownish-black scales on veins; discal bar prominent, slanted slightly toward apex, and has a few orange scales mixed with mostly black ones; outer half of area between discal bar and outer margin filled with dusky orange-brown scaling; hindwing hyaline except for veins; all wings have prominent dark fringes; antennae dark to black; abdomen dark to black with pale yellow band around second and fifth abdominal segments (adapted from description at U. of Alberta).
Where is Synanthedon helenis - Hodges#2564 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Mixedwood forests; peatlands. |
| Range | Western Ontario to Alberta. Type Location: Earl Grey, Saskatchewon. |
When is Synanthedon helenis - Hodges#2564 active?
Synanthedon helenis - Hodges#2564: seasonal activity - Adults fly in June and July in Alberta..