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Hellinsia balanotes

460110.00 — 6210 — Hellinsia balanotes (Meyrick, 1908) — Groundsel Plume Moth

Larval Host(s)

Presumed main host
on Block Island:

Known hosts:
Baccharis halimifolia

Baccharis halimifolia

Remarks

Block Island is the northernmost known locale for this species, which is a borer in eastern baccharis (Baccharis halimifolia).

Identification

H. balanotes is generally noticeably larger than H. glenni and H. kellicottii, but some overlap in size occurs with both species. The species flies locally in late summer and early fall, with the earliest record on Block Island being 15 July, whereas the similar congeners fly in June and early July. Collection is required for definitive identification of adults.

References

  • Species Page at Moth Photographers Group
  • Barcode of Life (BOLD) - Caution: Some specimens shown may not be sequenced. DNA barcode provides evidence of relatedness not proof of identification.
  • Gielis, C., 2003. Pterophoroidea & Alucitoidea (Lepidoptera). World Catalogue of Insects, 4: 1-198.
  • Matthews, D.L. & C.V. Covell, 2021. Common Names Of North American Plume Moths (Lepidoptera: Pterophoridae). Southern Lepidopterists' News, 43(2): 123-148.
  • Matthews, D.L., 2016. Pterophoridae of North America - "Plume Moths". Online self-published. website
  • Meyrick, E., 1907. XXVII. Notes and Descriptions of Pterophoridae and Orneodidae. Transactions of the Entomological Society of London, 1907 503.
  • Species Page at BugGuide

    • Adult phenology on Block Island of Hellinsia balanotes

    Abundance data late May to early October