Papaipema cerina
Grote, 1874
golden borer moth
Papaipema cerina, the golden borer , is a bright found in the Great Lakes region of North America. are active from September through mid-October. The is uncommon to rare and is associated with diverse wetland and forest . are borers that feed on lilies, May apple, and certain grass species.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Papaipema cerina: /ˌpæpaɪˈpɛmə ˈsɛrɪnə/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Bright coloration distinguishes from most other Papaipema , which tend toward or gray tones. The September to mid-October period is later than many related borers. Confirmed identification requires examination of or association with known plants.
Habitat
Wetlands including emergent marsh, southern wet meadow, wet prairie, wet-mesic sand prairie, and prairie fen. Also occurs in forested : southern hardwood swamp, mesic southern forest, and dry-mesic southern forest. All documented habitats share high moisture conditions.
Distribution
Great Lakes region of North America. Recorded from Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Maine, Ohio, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Ontario. GBIF records also indicate presence in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
Seasonality
on from September through mid-October. Single annually.
Diet
feed internally as borers in shoots or roots of plants. Documented hosts include lilies (Lilium), May apple (Podophyllum), bottlebrush grass (Hystrix patula), and dark green bullrush (Scirpus atrovirens). Larvae typically begin in grasses then switch to Lilium and related plants.
Host Associations
- Lilium - larval bore into shoots or roots
- Podophyllum - larval May apple; bore into shoots or roots
- Hystrix patula - larval Bottlebrush grass; early
- Scirpus atrovirens - larval Dark green bullrush
Life Cycle
with one annually. bore into shoots or roots. likely occurs in soil or within host plant remains, though specific details are not documented. emerge in autumn.
Behavior
are . are internal feeders, boring into tissues rather than feeding externally.
Ecological Role
As a borer, create tunnels in lilies and related plants, potentially affecting vigor. appear low due to uncommon to rare status. Role in is not documented.
Human Relevance
No documented economic importance. Uncommon to rare status may indicate sensitivity to disturbance. Potential for intact wetland and mesic forest in the Great Lakes region.
Similar Taxa
- Other Papaipema speciesMost are or gray rather than bright ; P. cerina's coloration is distinctive within the
- Other yellow NoctuidaeSeptember-October period and wetland/forest association help distinguish from with different or habitat preferences
More Details
Conservation Status
Uncommon to rare throughout its range. specificity and limited distribution may contribute to this status.
Taxonomic History
Originally described as Gortyna cerina by Grote in 1874, later transferred to Papaipema.