Lesser Peachtree Borer - Hodges#2550
Synanthedon pictipes
This record describes Synanthedon pictipes (species). Recorded family: Sesiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult male has yellow scales on top of head between the eyes, and black scales between the antennae, which differentiates if from male Peachtree Borer (see See Also section below).
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 half of the United States and southern Canada, west to Minnesota and Texas. ,
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae tunnel under the bark and in the twigs and branches of cultivated and wild peaches, plums and cherries ( Prunus ), Amelanchier , apples ( Malus spp.) and pears ( Pyrus ) (all Rosaceae).
Life History
See Solomon in Print References.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Synanthedon pictipes. 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 Lesser Peachtree Borer - Hodges#2550 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Brad Barnd; Additional contributions by john and jane balaban , Robin McLeod , tom murray , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Lesser Peachtree Borer - Hodges#2550
What is Lesser Peachtree Borer - Hodges#2550?
Lesser Peachtree Borer - Hodges#2550 (Synanthedon pictipes) is a species in the family Sesiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Lesser Peachtree Borer - Hodges#2550?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Forewing | Forewing length 8-12 mm. |
| Wingspan | Wingspan 18-25 mm. Larva to 20 mm. |
How do you identify Lesser Peachtree Borer - Hodges#2550?
Adult male has yellow scales on top of head between the eyes, and black scales between the antennae, which differentiates if from male Peachtree Borer (see See Also section below).
Where is Lesser Peachtree Borer - Hodges#2550 found?
Range: Eastern half of the United States and southern Canada, west to Minnesota and Texas. ,
What does Lesser Peachtree Borer - Hodges#2550 eat?
The diet of the Lesser Peachtree Borer - Hodges#2550 includes Larvae tunnel under the bark and in the twigs and branches of cultivated and wild peaches, plums and cherries ( Prunus ), Amelanchier , apples ( Malus spp.) and pears ( Pyrus ) (all Rosaceae)..
What is the life cycle of a Lesser Peachtree Borer - Hodges#2550?
See Solomon in Print References.