Pitch Mass Borer - Hodges#2585
Synanthedon pini
This record describes Synanthedon pini (species). Recorded family: Sesiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Larva - body white with a light brown head. (Kellicott, 1881). It is found rarely in insect collections and museums. Trees with active larvae have pitch mass swellings on the tree trunk with a white, powdery appearance. ,
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
Midwestern states east to southeastern Canada, New England south through the Appalachians.
Seasonal Activity
The males are strongly attracted to ZZOH/EZOH 50:50 pheromone lures and are on the wing starting in late June in Michigan.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae bore under the bark of pine and spruce, principally eastern white pine ( Pinus strobus , Pinaceae) , sometimes Norway spruce ( Picea abies , Pinaceae). Larvae typically bore in large trees below a broken branch or scar as high as 40' up the trunk (Kellicott, 1881).
Life History
Eggs are laid in June and July near a wound, old scars, or just below a branch. The larvae bore into the inner bark and sapwood, excavating transverse tunnels and cause copious flows of pitch. This pitch accumulates in masses 3-4" in diameter at the entrance hole. Pupation occurs in the pitch mass and when the moth emerges the empty pupal case is left sticking out of the mass. ( 3 ) Life cycle requires 2-3 years. ( 3 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Pini is Latin for "pine."
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Synanthedon pini. 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 Pitch Mass Borer - Hodges#2585 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy , Marci Hess
Frequently Asked Questions About Pitch Mass Borer - Hodges#2585
What is Pitch Mass Borer - Hodges#2585?
Pitch Mass Borer - Hodges#2585 (Synanthedon pini) is a species in the family Sesiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Pitch Mass Borer - Hodges#2585?
Wingspan: ♂ 28-32 mm, ♀ 32-34 mm. Larva to about 25-27 mm (Kellicott, 1881). Pupa about 18 mm (Kellicott, 1881).
How do you identify Pitch Mass Borer - Hodges#2585?
Larva - body white with a light brown head. (Kellicott, 1881).
Where is Pitch Mass Borer - Hodges#2585 found?
Range: Midwestern states east to southeastern Canada, New England south through the Appalachians.
What does Pitch Mass Borer - Hodges#2585 eat?
The diet of the Pitch Mass Borer - Hodges#2585 includes Larvae bore under the bark of pine and spruce, principally eastern white pine ( Pinus strobus , Pinaceae) , sometimes Norway spruce ( Picea abies , Pinaceae). Larvae typically bore in large trees below a broken branch or scar as high as 40' up the trunk (Kellicott, 1881)..
When is Pitch Mass Borer - Hodges#2585 active?
Pitch Mass Borer - Hodges#2585: seasonal activity - The males are strongly attracted to ZZOH/EZOH 50:50 pheromone lures and are on the wing starting in late June in Michigan..
What is the life cycle of a Pitch Mass Borer - Hodges#2585?
Eggs are laid in June and July near a wound, old scars, or just below a branch. The larvae bore into the inner bark and sapwood, excavating transverse tunnels and cause copious flows of pitch. This pitch accumulates in masses 3-4" in diameter at the entrance hole. Pupation occurs in the pitch mass and when the moth emerges the empty pupal case is left sticking out of the mass. ( 3 ) Life cycle requires 2-3 years. ( 3 )