Species Papaipema insulidens - Ragwort Stem Borer Moth - Hodges#9488

9488

Papaipema insulidens (Bird, 1902)

Hydroecia insulidens Bird, 1902

Gortyna birdi Dyar, 1908 (1)

Gortyna nephrasyntheta Dyar, 1908

Papaipema pertincta Dyar, 1920 (1)

Phylogenetic sequence # 932480

Bird (1902) reported the wingspan as 32-37 mm.

Powell & Opler (2009) reported the forewing length to be 14-17 mm. (2)

Papaipema insulidens occurs in wetlands and along creeks and rivers. (3)

"This species is a borer in the stems of its hostplants. It has been found in various umbels (Apiaceae), lilies, and composites such as tansy ragwort (Senecio jacobaeae) in the Northwest. This moth is locally common in some parts of western Oregon in association with this invasive plant. Crumb (1956) also lists lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus) and cow parsnip (Heracleum lanatum) as food plants." (3)

Other host plants include Spotted Water Hemlock (Cicuta maculata), Purplestem Angelica (Angelica atropurpurea), and Hemlock Waterparsnip (Sium suave)

Indigo Stem Borer (Papaipema baptisiae) is larger (wingspan 38 mm), forewing has yellowish-orange basal spots, smaller reniform patch, greater distance between PM line and reniform patch, and smoother or more lustrous overall appearance (compare images of both species at CBIF; also see photos of this and numerous related species by Jim Vargo at MPG)

Bird, H., 1902. New histories and species in Hydroecia. The Canadian Entomologist, 34(5): 112.

Powell, J.A. & P.A. Opler, 2009 Moths of Western North America. University of California Press, pl. 53, fig. 32; p. 296. (2)

Pacific Northwest Moths (3)

Moth Photographers Group (4)

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD) (5)