Synanthedon myopaeformis

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Synanthedon myopaeformis
Red-belted Clearwing Synanthedon myopaeformis.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Sesiidae
Genus: Synanthedon
Species:
S. myopaeformis
Binomial name
Synanthedon myopaeformis
(Borkhausen, 1789)
Synonyms [ citation needed ]
  • Sphinx myopaeformisBorkhausen, 1789
  • Sesia myopiformisStaudinger, 1856
  • Sphinx zonataDonovan, 1797 (nec Drury, 1770)
  • Sesia mutillaeformisLaspeyres, 1801
  • Sesia elegansLederer, 1861
  • Synanthedon armeniacaGorbunov, 1991
  • Sesia myopaeformis ab. bicingulataRebel 1910 (nec Staudinger, 1887)
  • Sphinx typhiaeformisBorkhausen, 1789
  • Sphinx tiphiaeformisHübner, [1806]
  • Sesia typhiiformisStaudinger, 1856
  • Sesia cruentataMann, 1859
  • Sesia cruentata ab. lugubrisRagusa, 1923
  • Sesia graecaStaudinger, 1871
  • Sesia luctuosaLederer, 1853
  • Synanthedon mesoreacaFischer & Lewandowski 2003

Synanthedon myopaeformis is a moth of the family Sesiidae and the order Lepidoptera . In Europe it is known as the red-belted clearwing and in North America as the apple clearwing moth. The larvae create galleries under the bark of fruit trees, especially old trees with damaged trunks. During this process, the larvae cause significant damage to host trees. Particular attention has been paid to the damage they cause to apple trees. Their status as a pest of apple orchards has led to many research projects aimed at controlling populations of the moth. This moth is native to Europe, the Near East and North Africa. Recently, the moth was introduced into North America, being first detected in Canada in 2005. There are several organisms that threaten the larvae, including parasitoids, nematodes, and bacteria. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

Subspecies

Geographic range

Synanthedon myopaeformis is native to north Africa, western Asia, and Europe, where it is known as the red-belted clearwing moth. In 2005, it was discovered in southwestern Canada and has since been found in the United States. Throughout North America, S. myopaeformis is known as the apple clearwing moth because of its status as a pest of apple trees. [4] [5]

Morphology

Synanthedon myopaeformis Synanthedon myopaeformis, Lodz(Poland)03(js).jpg
Synanthedon myopaeformis

Adults are blue-black in color with a dark orange-red stripe across their segmented abdomen. The moths have short, bushy tails. Their wings are clear in the middle with dark edges framed by short fringe. Wingspan varies between 1.8 and 2.8 cm at the forewings, with forewings narrower and longer than hindwings. [6] [7]

Caterpillars are 2.5 cm long, with off-white bodies and a reddish-brown head. [5]

Pupae are around 1.5 cm long, [8] and are golden brown with two tubercles, short projections, protruding from their heads. They can be seen sticking out of the bark of apple trees. [7]

Habitat

Because the life cycle of the moth is dependent on host trees, S. myopaeformis is found predominately near apple orchards. [1] They are also found in gardens, woodlands and hedgerows. The larvae feed under the bark of apple trees, crab apples, pears, quinces, plums, cherries, apricots, hawthorn and mountain ash, favoring old cankerous trees. [6] [9]

In Canada, it has been found that both male and female moths are attracted to the flowers of showy milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) and that it is the phenylacetaldehyde produced by the flowers that attracts them. This substance can be used in monitoring populations of the moth or in mass-trapping them. [10]

Life cycle

Egg

Each female can lay up to 250 eggs. Eggs are laid singly on the bark of host trees, typically in cracks or damaged areas of the trunk and branches. [5] [7]

Figs.1 larva before last moult, 1a larva after last moult 1b pupa, 1c, 1d pieces of apple bark ravaged by the larva Buckler W The larvae of the British butterflies and moths PlateXXIX.jpg
Figs.1 larva before last moult, 1a larva after last moult 1b pupa, 1c, 1d pieces of apple bark ravaged by the larva

Caterpillar

After hatching, larvae bore into the bark of the host trees, digging into the phloem of the tree. As they bore through the tree, they leave trails of waste that are visible from the outside of the tree. Larvae mature on the host tree for two years. [7] [5] During warm weather, the caterpillars move along the bark of the tree feeding on young plant tissues, including the buds of apple trees. At the beginning of winter, the caterpillars once again bore into the tree to spend the cold season under the bark. They emerge in early spring to feed. Larvae repeat this feeding – wintering cycle once more before emerging and boring a final hole in the bark in which to pupate. [7]

Pupa

After burrowing into the bark, larvae compose golden brown cocoons which stick out from the tree. Compared to the larval stage, the pupal stage is much shorter at two weeks. [5]

Adults

Adults emerge from their cocoons in early summer. [5]

Physiology

Flight activity

After emergence in early summer, adults are active in flight from May through August. Because Synanthedon myopaeformis thrives in warm weather, flight activity is temperature dependent. The adults are significantly less active on cold days compared to warm days. Flight activity ceases at the end of summer when average temperature drops to 15-16 °C. [7]

Color vision

In 2014, Judd and Eby found that S. myopaeformis does not discriminate between yellow, green and white or between purple, blue, red, and black. The moths also display different behaviors toward traps reflecting green (500-550 nm) and ultraviolet (300-400 nm) light. [3] A second study by Eby in 2012 showed that the moths are sensitive to the same wavelengths of light shown in the previously mentioned study, suggesting that the S. myopaeformis could have dichromatic vision. [11]

Enemies

Beauveria bassiana, a threat to the S. myopaeformis, seen growing on an Ithominae larva Beauveria bassiana en larva de Ithominae (Lepidoptera).jpg
Beauveria bassiana , a threat to the S. myopaeformis, seen growing on an Ithominae larva
Bacillus thuringiensis, a threat to larvae Bacillus thuringiensis.jpg
Bacillus thuringiensis , a threat to larvae

The parasitoid Liotryphan crassiseta is a significant cause of mortality in S. myopaeformis. [12] Nematodes, Steinernema sp., are a threat to larvae, [13] and larva mortality following exposure to the fungi Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium brunneum is common. [14] Bacteria are another threat to larvae. In 1999, Shehata, Nasr, and Tadros found that significantly fewer adults emerged from cocoons after larvae were exposed to the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis. [1]

Mating

Pheremones

Males of the species respond to sex pheromones released by the glands of females. A 2010 study from Judd, Gries, Aurelian, and Gries found that 3,13-octadecadienyl acetate is the primary sex hormone used by S. myopaeformis females. This chemical alone is enough to attract males, although the females do also produce secondary sex pheromone in addition to 3,13-octadecadienyl acetate, these appear to play a minor role. [15]

Interactions with humans

Pest status

On a bud Synynthedon myopaeformis.JPG
On a bud

Native to Europe, Asia, and northern Africa, but recently released in Canada and the United States, S. myopaeformis has been recognized as a significant threat to apple trees in these regions. [2] Because the larvae bore holes and tunnels under and through the bark of their host trees, the presence of the species is harmful to the health and production of these trees. [16] Previously, damage caused by S. myopaeformis was associated primarily with old, damaged, or otherwise sick apple trees because the lack of integrity of their bark allows the larvae easier access to the inner layers of the trunk and branches. [4] [7] However, their potential to harm even previously healthy apple trees is now recognized. [5] [2] Because of this, many methods have been tested for controlling the proliferation of the moth.

Attempted control methods

Pheromone disruption

One method of reproduction control involves the release of the S. myopaeformis sex pheromone into orchards infested by the species. The technique, mating disruption, leads to a dampened male response to female sex hormones, disrupting the mating process. As a result of the overabundance of pheromones, the percentage of mated females decreases relative to unmated females. [17]

Pheromone traps

Many research studies have used pheromone traps to monitor the population of S. myopaformis. The traps enable monitoring of infestations even when the population is low, and so are an effective reference to determine the best time to apply pest-controlling measures or plant growth regulators. [18] [20]

Other chemical lures

Other methods of control focus on luring and trapping adults. A Hungarian study found that both male and female red-belted clearwings are attracted to a combination of pear ester and acetic acid. Because many pheromone-based traps attract more males than females, this method is suggested as female-targeted trapping. [19]

Other species

Each of the species mentioned above in the “Enemies” section have been used to control populations. These include nematodes, [13] fungi, [14] and bacteria. [1]

Trunk coatings

Diverse materials have been used to coat the bark of apple trees in an attempt to kill S. myopaeformis eggs and larvae. In 2010, the effectiveness of cotton seed oil, lime, and motor oil were tested in decreasing the number of adults and pupae. All three materials reduced the number of adult moths during the second year, but the oils showed the greatest effect. [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sesiidae</span> Family of moths

The Sesiidae or clearwing moths are a diurnal moth family in the order Lepidoptera known for their Batesian mimicry in both appearance and behaviour of various Hymenoptera.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Codling moth</span> Species of moth that feeds on fruit (Cydia pomonella)

The codling moth is a member of the Lepidopteran family Tortricidae. They are major pests to agricultural crops, mainly fruits such as apples and pears, and a codling moth larva is often called an "apple worm". Because the larvae are not able to feed on leaves, they are highly dependent on fruits as a food source and thus have a significant impact on crops. The caterpillars bore into fruit and stop it from growing, which leads to premature ripening. Various means of control, including chemical, biological, and preventive, have been implemented. This moth has a widespread distribution, being found on six continents. Adaptive behavior such as diapause and multiple generations per breeding season have allowed this moth to persist even during years of bad climatic conditions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ash borer</span> Species of moth

The ash borer, or lilac borer, is a clearwing moth in the family Sesiidae. It is found throughout North America and can be a pest of ash and lilac.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hornet moth</span> Species of moth

The hornet moth or hornet clearwing is a large moth native to Europe and the Middle East and has been introduced to North America. Its protective coloration is an example of Batesian mimicry, as its similarity to a hornet makes it unappealing to predators. The hornet moth has been linked to the large dieback of poplar trees across Europe because its larvae bore into the trunk of the tree before re-emerging as adults.

<i>Asclepias speciosa</i> Species of flowering plant

Asclepias speciosa is a milky-sapped perennial plant in the dogbane family (Apocynaceae), known commonly as the showy milkweed and is found in the western half of North America.

<i>Synanthedon culiciformis</i> Species of moth

Synanthedon culiciformis, known as the large red-belted clearwing, is a moth of the family Sesiidae. It is found in the Palearctic and Nearctic realms.

<i>Paranthrene dollii</i> Species of moth

Paranthrene dollii, commonly known as Doll's clearwing moth or the cottonwood clearwing borer, is a moth of the family Sesiidae. It is found in North America.

<i>Phyllocnistis citrella</i> Species of moth

Phyllocnistis citrella, the citrus leafminer, is a moth of the family Gracillariidae. It is also known as CLM in agriculture. It was described by Henry Tibbats Stainton from India in 1856. It was first found in Florida, United States, in 1993, but is now found all over the world, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, Corsica, Costa Rica, Cuba, India, Israel, Madeira, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, the Philippines, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka and other parts of the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pheromone trap</span> Type of insect trap that uses pheromones to lure insects

A pheromone trap is a type of insect trap that uses pheromones to lure insects. Sex pheromones and aggregating pheromones are the most common types used. A pheromone-impregnated lure is encased in a conventional trap such as a bottle trap, delta trap, water-pan trap, or funnel trap. Pheromone traps are used both to count insect populations by sampling, and to trap pests such as clothes moths to destroy them.

<i>Synanthedon andrenaeformis</i> Species of moth

Synanthedon andrenaeformis, the orange-tailed clearwing, is a moth of the family Sesiidae. It is known from most of Europe. It is also present in the Near East. The wingspan is 18–22 mm. Adults are on wing between May and June in western Europe.

<i>Synanthedon scitula</i> Species of moth

Synanthedon scitula, the dogwood borer or pecan borer, is a moth that is a pest of many plants including the dogwood and pecan. It is notorious due to the severity of damage it can cause and its widespread geographical distribution.

<i>Synanthedon formicaeformis</i> Species of moth

Synanthedon formicaeformis, the red-tipped clearwing, is a moth of the family Sesiidae and can be found in all of Europe, the eastern Palearctic realm, and the Near East. The larvae sometimes form pear-shaped galls on willows. It was first described by Eugenius Johann Christoph Esper in 1783.

<i>Synanthedon conopiformis</i> Species of moth

Synanthedon conopiformis, Dale's oak clearwing, is a moth of the family Sesiidae. It is found in almost all of Europe, except the north.

Synanthedon flaviventris, the sallow clearwing, is a moth of the family Sesiidae. The larvae form pear-shaped galls on sallows.

<i>Synanthedon scoliaeformis</i> Species of moth

Synanthedon scoliaeformis, the Welsh clearwing, is a moth of the family Sesiidae. It is found from almost all of Europe, east through Russia to Japan.

<i>Synanthedon rhododendri</i> Species of insect

Synanthedon rhododendri, also known by its common name rhododendron borer moth, is a species from the genus Synanthedon.

<i>Synanthedon acerrubri</i> Species of moth

Synanthedon acerrubri, commonly known as the red maple borer or the maple clearwing moth, is a species of clearwing borer moth.

<i>Synanthedon resplendens</i> North American clearwing moth

Synanthedon resplendens, also known as the sycamore borer moth, is species of a clearwing moth native to western North America. Larva of this moth live under the bark of sycamore, ceanothus, coast live oak, and, on rare occasions, avocado trees. Sycamore hosts include California sycamore, Arizona sycamore, and American sycamore trees. Coast live oak is a confirmed host, but this moth likely uses many or most other western oaks as well.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Shehata, W. A.; Nasr, F. N.; Tadros, A. W. (1999). "Application of some bacterial varieties of Bacillus thuringiensis and its bioproduct Delfin on Synanthedon myopaeformis Borkh. (Lep. Aegeriidae) in apple orchards". Journal of Pest Science. 72: 129–132.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Erler, Fedai (2010-01-01). "Efficacy of tree trunk coating materials in the control of the apple clearwing, Synanthedon myopaeformis". Journal of Insect Science. 10 (1): 63. doi:10.1673/031.010.6301. PMC   3014806 . PMID   20672979.
  3. 1 2 Judd, Gary J. R.; Eby, Chelsea (2014). "Spectral discrimination by Synanthedon myopaeformis (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) when orienting to traps baited with sex pheromone or feeding attractants". The Canadian Entomologist. 146 (1): 8–25. doi:10.4039/tce.2013.55. ISSN   0008-347X. S2CID   86057968.
  4. 1 2 "Synanthedon myopaeformis : Red-belted Clearwing | NBN Atlas | NBN Atlas". species.nbnatlas.org. Retrieved 2017-10-02.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Noma, T.; Colunga-Garcia, M.; Brewer, M.; Landis, J.; Gooch, A. "Red-Belted Clearwing Synanthedon myopaeformis" (PDF). Michigan State University's Invasive Species Factsheets. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
  6. 1 2 "Apple clearwing moth (Synanthedon myopaeformis)". Pest management. British Columbia: Ministry of Agriculture. 2013-11-01. Retrieved 2014-06-10.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Grichanov, I. Y.; Ovsyannikove, E. I. "AgroAtlas - Pests - Synanthedon myopaeformis (Borkhausen) - Red-belted Clearwing, Small Red-belted Clearwing, Apple Clearwing, Apple Borer" . Retrieved 2017-10-02.
  8. ↑ Mason, Peter. Biological Control Programmes in Canada 2001-2012. pp. 286–288.
  9. ↑ Wheeler, Jim (2014). "Red-belted Clearwing(Synanthedon myopaeformis)". Norfolk Moths. Retrieved 2014-06-10.
  10. ↑ Eby, Chelsea; Gardiner, Mark G.T.; Gries, Regine; Judd, Gary J.R.; Khaskin, Grigori; Gries, Gerhard (2013). "Phenylacetaldehyde attracts male and female apple clearwing moths, Synanthedon myopaeformis, to inflorescences of showy milkweed, Asclepias speciosa". Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata. 147 (1): 82–92. doi:10.1111/eea.12045. S2CID   84552298.
  11. ↑ Eby, Chelsea Dawn (2012-07-03). Visual and olfactory cues used by the apple clearwing moth, Synanthedon myopaeformis (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae), to locate inflorescences of showy milkweed (Thesis).
  12. ↑ Bąkowski, Marek; Piekarska-Boniecka, Hanna; Dolańska-Niedbała, Ewa; Michaud, J. P. (2013-01-01). "Monitoring of the red-belted clearwing moth, Synanthedon myopaeformis, and its parasitoid Liotryphon crassiseta in apple orchards in yellow Moericke traps". Journal of Insect Science. 13 (1): 4. doi:10.1673/031.013.0401. PMC   3735110 . PMID   23879220.
  13. 1 2 Kahounova, L. (1991). "Larval mortality of Synanthedon myopaeformis (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) in apple trees sprayed with Steinernema sp. strain Hylobius(Nematoda: Steinernematidae)". Acta Entomologica Bohemoslovaca. 88: 205–201.
  14. 1 2 Cossentine, J. E.; Judd, G. J. R.; Bissett, J. D.; Lacey, L. A. (2010-01-01). "Susceptibility of apple clearwing moth larvae, Synanthedon myopaeformis (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) to Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium brunneum". Biocontrol Science and Technology. 20 (7): 703–707. doi:10.1080/09583151003690390. ISSN   0958-3157. S2CID   84565528.
  15. ↑ Judd, Gary J. R.; Gries, Regine; Aurelian, V. Marius; Gries, Gerhard (June 2011). "3Z, 13Z-octadecadienyl acetate: sex pheromone of the apple clearwing moth in British Columbia". The Canadian Entomologist. 143 (3): 236–244. doi:10.4039/n11-002. ISSN   1918-3240. S2CID   86303416.
  16. ↑ Piekarska-Boniecka, H.; Siatkowski, M.; Siatkowski, I. (2016). "The Effect of the Orchard Habitat Structure and Year on Apple Clearwing Moth S. myopaeformis Abundance" (PDF). Colloquium Biometricum. 46: 71–82.
  17. ↑ Kyparissoudas, D. A. (1993). "Control of Synanthedon (Aegeria) myopaeformis by Mating Disruption Using Sex Pheremone Dispensers in Northern Greece". Entomologia Hellenica: 35–40.
  18. ↑ Kutinkova, Hristina; Andreev, Radoslov; Subchev, Mitko; Szocs, Gabor; Toth, Miklos (2006). "Seasonal flight dynamics of apple clearwing moth based on catches in pheromone traps" (PDF). Journal of Fruit and Ornamental Plant Research. 14 (Supplement 3): 39–48.
  19. ↑ Tóth, Miklós; Landolt, Peter; Szarukán, István; Szólláth, Imre; Vitányi, Imre; Pénzes, Béla; Hári, Katalin; Jósvai, Júlia Katalin; Koczor, Sándor (2012-01-01). "Female-targeted attractant containing pear ester for Synanthedon myopaeformis". Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata. 142 (1): 27–35. doi:10.1111/j.1570-7458.2011.01198.x. ISSN   1570-7458. S2CID   86621085.
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