Tupelo Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2567
Synanthedon rubrofascia
This record describes Synanthedon rubrofascia (species). Recorded family: Sesiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and 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
Eastern half of the United States. Mostly seen in southern and eastern states where its host plant is commonly found. It has been collected as far north as Michigan and Massachusetts. , ,
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae tunnel under the bark of large tupelo trees including blackgum ( Nyssa sylvatica , Cornaceae). ,
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific name rubrofascia is Latin meaning "red-banded."
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Synanthedon rubrofascia. 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 Tupelo Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2567 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Hannah Nendick-Mason , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Tupelo Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2567
How big is Tupelo Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2567?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Forewing | Forewing length 8-11 mm. |
| Wingspan | Wingspan: 26-36 mm. Larva to 18 mm. |
Where is Tupelo Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2567 found?
Range: Eastern half of the United States. Mostly seen in southern and eastern states where its host plant is commonly found. It has been collected as far north as Michigan and Massachusetts. , ,
What does Tupelo Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2567 eat?
The diet of the Tupelo Clearwing Moth - Hodges#2567 includes Larvae tunnel under the bark of large tupelo trees including blackgum ( Nyssa sylvatica , Cornaceae). ,.