Aspen Bibliography

On the Hosts and Larval Habits of Framinghamia helvalis (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington

Volume

125

Issue

2

Publisher

Entomological Society of Washington

First Page

268

Last Page

272

Publication Date

1-31-2024

Abstract

Framinghamia helvalis (Walker) (Crambidae), the sole representative of its genus, is a nondescript moth that occurs from Nova Scotia to Saskatchewan and throughout the eastern and central USA (Allyson 1984). The larva has long been known to feed on species of Populus L. and Salix L. (Salicaceae), but little has been published about its habits. Forbes (1923) stated that the caterpillar “is a leaf roller on poplar, emerging in July” in New York. According to Jones and Kimball (1943), on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, the larvae are “not rare on willow and poplar, the second annual brood overwintering as larvae in neatly-made leaf-packets which fall to the ground.” Prentice (1965) reported P. nigra f. italica (Münchh.) A. Andersen as a host and noted that the larva is solitary. Allyson (1984) described and illustrated the final instar larva (which is up to 23 mm long), additionally listing P. tremuloides Michx. as a host. Godfrey et al. (1987) reported this species being reared from P. deltoides W. Bartram ex Marshall in Illinois, with the adult emerging on 23 July. I recently had the opportunity to observe the “leaf-packets” made by mature larvae as well as the previously unreported habits of early instars. In each of the rearing events discussed below, I confirmed the moth identification by dissecting an adult male, whose genitalia matched the description and illustration in Munroe (1951).

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