Lesser Grape Root Borer - Hodges#2531
Vitacea scepsiformis
This record describes Vitacea scepsiformis (species). Recorded family: Sesiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult - hindwing, which is not visible, is key to positive identification. We will never really know since the HW fold(CuP)is really hidden. Both P.dollii and V. scepsiformis are closely related (same tribe) and are variable within their range. Female V.scepsiformis have a dark wide HW margin that when folded can look like P. dollii. See MONA Fascicle 5.1 Plate 1. figure 49. Larva - white with brown head and light brown thoracic shield. ( 3 )
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Cossoidea
- Family
- Sesiidae (Clearwing Moths)
- Subfamily
- Tinthiinae
- Tribe
- Paranthrenini
- Genus
- Vitacea
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
New York to Florida, west to Texas, Arkansas and Missouri. ( 3 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed under bark of grape roots. Known hosts are Virginia creeper ( Parthenocissus quinquefolia , Vitaceae) and Boston ivy ( Parthenocissus tricuspidata , Vitaceae). , ,
Life History
Two year life cycle. ( 3 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Vitacea scepsiformis. 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 Grape Root Borer - Hodges#2531 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Tom Bentley , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Lesser Grape Root Borer - Hodges#2531
What is Lesser Grape Root Borer - Hodges#2531?
Lesser Grape Root Borer - Hodges#2531 (Vitacea scepsiformis) is a species in the family Sesiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Lesser Grape Root Borer - Hodges#2531?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Forewing | Forewing length 12-16 mm. |
| Wingspan | Wingspan: ♂ 25-30 mm, ♀ 34 mm. Larva to 25-35 mm. |
How do you identify Lesser Grape Root Borer - Hodges#2531?
Adult - hindwing, which is not visible, is key to positive identification. We will never really know since the HW fold(CuP)is really hidden. Both P.dollii and V. scepsiformis are closely related (same tribe) and are variable within their range. Female V.scepsiformis have a dark wide HW margin that when folded can look like P. dollii. See MONA Fascicle 5.1 Plate 1. figure 49. Larva - white with brown head and light brown thoracic shield. ( 3 )
Where is Lesser Grape Root Borer - Hodges#2531 found?
Range: New York to Florida, west to Texas, Arkansas and Missouri. ( 3 )
What does Lesser Grape Root Borer - Hodges#2531 eat?
The diet of the Lesser Grape Root Borer - Hodges#2531 includes Larvae feed under bark of grape roots. Known hosts are Virginia creeper ( Parthenocissus quinquefolia , Vitaceae) and Boston ivy ( Parthenocissus tricuspidata , Vitaceae). , ,.
What is the life cycle of a Lesser Grape Root Borer - Hodges#2531?
Two year life cycle. ( 3 )