Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada

Species Papaipema lysimachiae - Loosestrife Borer - Hodges#9479

Loosestrife Borer Moth - Papaipema lysimachiae Noctuidae: Papaipema pterisii? - Papaipema lysimachiae Papaipema lysimachiae - male Papaipema lysimachiae  - Papaipema lysimachiae Pennsylvania Moth - Papaipema lysimachiae Loosestrife Borer - Papaipema lysimachiae Papaipema lysimachiae Papaipema lysimachiae
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Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily Noctuoidea (Owlet Moths and kin)
Family Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
Subfamily Noctuinae (Cutworm or Dart Moths)
Tribe Apameini
Genus Papaipema (Borer Moths)
Species lysimachiae (Loosestrife Borer - Hodges#9479)
Hodges Number
9479
Numbers
uncommon; listed as a "species in greatest need of conservation" in several states
Size
wingspan 28-35 mm
Identification
Adult: forewing yellowish-orange in median area with dark orangish-brown patches basally and between reniform and orbicular spots; orbicular and claviform spots large white rounded rectangles, sometimes joined (claviform spot may be divided in two); reniform spot outlined with small white spots; PM line black, straight for most of length but with rounded angle near costa; dark purplish-brown shading beyond PM line
hindwing pale yellowsish with light grayish-brown shading; veins and thin terminal line darker
Range
New Brunswick to Georgia, west to Illinois, north to Wisconsin and Ontario
Habitat
sedge meadows and open damp areas where food plant grows; adults are nocturnal and attracted to light
Season
adults fly from August to October
Food
larvae bore into stems and roots of Whorled Yellow Loosestrife (Lysimachia quadrifolia)
See Also
very similar to Bracken Borer (P. pterisii) but that species has a more sharply angled PM line near the costa, and slightly lighter shading beyond PM line, in basal area, and area between reniform and orbicular spots