Ceanothus Borer - Hodges#2580
Synanthedon mellinipennis
This record describes Synanthedon mellinipennis (species). Recorded family: Sesiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult - see Duckworth & Eichlin 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
Coastal and mountain areas of California. One record from Robson, British Columbia. ,
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae bore in the wood of Ceanothus spp., including blueblossom ( Ceanothus thyrsiflorus Eschsch., Rhamnaceae) (Williams, 1909).
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific name mellinipennis derived from Latin meaning "honey-winged."
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Synanthedon mellinipennis. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ceanothus Borer - Hodges#2580
What is Ceanothus Borer - Hodges#2580?
Ceanothus Borer - Hodges#2580 (Synanthedon mellinipennis) is a species in the family Sesiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Ceanothus Borer - Hodges#2580?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | Wingspan 22-26 mm. |
| Forewing | Forewing length 10-12 mm. |
How do you identify Ceanothus Borer - Hodges#2580?
Adult - see Duckworth & Eichlin in Print References.
Where is Ceanothus Borer - Hodges#2580 found?
Range: Coastal and mountain areas of California. One record from Robson, British Columbia. ,
What does Ceanothus Borer - Hodges#2580 eat?
The diet of the Ceanothus Borer - Hodges#2580 includes Larvae bore in the wood of Ceanothus spp., including blueblossom ( Ceanothus thyrsiflorus Eschsch., Rhamnaceae) (Williams, 1909)..