Rhododendron Borer Moth - Hodges#2551
Synanthedon rhododendri
This record describes Synanthedon rhododendri (species). Recorded family: Sesiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The original description as Sesia rhododendri Beutenmueller is available online in the print references below. The key to this species is the yellow posterior banding on abdominal segment 2, 4, and 5. William H. Taft Please see notes on this photo. Larva - body yellow-white and semitransparent, head and legs reddish brown. Considered an important pest. There are many online resources with information on the pest status.
Identification notes
The original description as Sesia rhododendri Beutenmueller is available online in the print references below. The key to this species is the yellow posterior banding on abdominal segment 2, 4, and 5. William H. Taft Please see notes on this photo. Larva - body yellow-white and semitransparent, head and legs reddish brown. ( 3 )
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
Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly from May to July. ( 4 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae bore into main stems of rhododendron and mountain laurel.
Life History
Life cycle PDF.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet named for the host species.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Synanthedon rhododendri. 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 Rhododendron Borer Moth - Hodges#2551 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Rhododendron Borer Moth - Hodges#2551
What is Rhododendron Borer Moth - Hodges#2551?
Rhododendron Borer Moth - Hodges#2551 (Synanthedon rhododendri) is a species in the family Sesiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Rhododendron Borer Moth - Hodges#2551?
Wingspan 10-15 mm. Larva to 10 mm. Pupa 5-9 mm.
How do you identify Rhododendron Borer Moth - Hodges#2551?
The original description as Sesia rhododendri Beutenmueller is available online in the print references below. The key to this species is the yellow posterior banding on abdominal segment 2, 4, and 5. William H. Taft Please see notes on this photo. Larva - body yellow-white and semitransparent, head and legs reddish brown. ( 3 )
Where is Rhododendron Borer Moth - Hodges#2551 found?
Range: Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
What does Rhododendron Borer Moth - Hodges#2551 eat?
The diet of the Rhododendron Borer Moth - Hodges#2551 includes Larvae bore into main stems of rhododendron and mountain laurel..
When is Rhododendron Borer Moth - Hodges#2551 active?
Rhododendron Borer Moth - Hodges#2551: seasonal activity - Adults fly from May to July. ( 4 ).
What is the life cycle of a Rhododendron Borer Moth - Hodges#2551?
Life cycle PDF.