THE INSECTS OF CEDAR CREEK

Cedar Creek
Ecosystem Science Reserve

Insects of Cedar Creek

Order LEPIDOPTERA

Family PYRALIDAE

(Snout Moths)

(Table of Species)

A large family (1374 NA spp) of small to medium sized moths. Larval habits are diverse. Most feed concealed as borers, leafrollers, webbers, or scavengers. More than 20 species have been collected at Cedar Creek and a number of specimens remain undetermined. Many more are likely to occur here. Fourteen subfamilies have been recognized.

SCOPARIINAE
The Scopariinae feed on mosses and plant roots. None collected?

NYMPHULINAE
The Nymphulinae are small white, prettily marked moths that occur near water. Larvae feed on aquatic plants (pondweeds, duckweed, water lilies) and have tracheal gills. Two genera collected are Monroessa andParapoynx?

ODONTIINAE
Eustixia pupula feeds on Lepidium (peppergrass).

GLAPHYRIINAE
Dicymolomia julianalis feeds in cattail heads.

EVERGESTINAE
Evergestus pallidata feeds on cabbage and other Cruciferae.

PYRAUSTINAE
A number of members of this subfamily are garden/crop pests. The European Corn Borer, Ostrinia nubilalis, is quite common at CCESR. Other species collected include: Achyra rantalis (Garden Webworm), Nomophila nearctica (Melilotus), Desmia funeralis (Grape Leaffolder), Blepharomastix ranalis (Chenopodium), Conchylodes sp. Several species of Pyrausta have been collected including: P. signatalis (mints), P. subsequalis? (thistles), P. funebris, P. ochosalis?, P. LG undet. Udea rubigalis (the Celery Leaftier) is also a member of this subfamily.

SCHOENOBIINAE
Scirpophaga perstrialis bores into marsh reeds.

CRAMBINAE
These elongate slender Snout Moths are common in CCESR old fields. Larvae feed on grasses/grass roots and adults frequent flowers. Species collected include: Pediasia trisecta (Sod Webworm), Agriphila vulgivagella, and perhaps six species of Crambus (C. agitatellus, C. laqueatellus, C. leachellus, ....).

PYRALINAE
Species collected in this subfamily include: Pyralisfarinalis (Meal moth-grain pest), Hypsopygia costalis (Clover Hayworm), and Herculia olinalis? (oaks).

CHRYSAUGINAE
Genera include Galasa, Tosale, Condylolomia, Clydonopteron. None collected?

EPIPASCHIINAE
Tetralopha asperatella feeds on sumac.

GALLERIINAE
Galleria mellonella is a Waxmoth found in honeybee hives.

PHYCITINAE
The Indian Meal Moth, Plodia interpunctella, feeds on stored grains.

PEORIINAE
Peoria approximella occurs in this small subfamily. None collected.

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