Moths of North Carolina
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1 NC Records

Hellula phidilealis (Walker, 1859) - Cabbage Budworm Moth

No image for this species.
Taxonomy
Superfamily: Pyraloidea Family: CrambidaeSubfamily: GlaphyriinaeTribe: [Glaphyriini]P3 Number: 801019.00 MONA Number: 4847.00
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Munroe (1972b)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: Hellula phidilealis is very similar to H. rogatalis (see description of that species). It can most easily be distinguished from the latter by the reniform spot that tends to be an irregular-shaped blackish patch, and by the presence of three dark dots along the termen of the forewing. The dots are surrounded basally by a small whitish patch, with one dot at the apex and the other two closer to the anal angle.
Wingspan: 15 mm
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The following life history account is based on Palumbo (2022) who included observations in Arizona. In the U.S. H. phidilealis feeds on cultivated crops of members of the Brassicaceae such as cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, collards, and kale. This species can complete a generation in about 30 days under early fall weather conditions, but is multivoltine in tropical areas and active year-round. The eggs are laid singly or in small clusters on the stems and terminal leaves, with females laying an average of 65 eggs over a period of 5 days. The eggs hatch in about 3 days and the hatchlings frequently tunnel into the stem below the terminal shoot. The larvae will also bore into leaf petioles and plant stems, but are most damaging when they tunnel into or below the terminal growing points of plants. As they feed they deposit brown frass at the entrance hole.

The larvae complete development in about 16 days, then pupate within the plant stem or below the plant in the soil. The older larvae are creamy white with a thin, reddish-brown, mid-dorsal longitudinal stripe, along with two wider dorsolateral stripes on each side. When fully mature, the larvae measure around 13 mm long. The head capsule is pale with a mottled appearance. This differentiates it from the Cabbage Webworm (H. rogatalis) that is very similar, but has a shiny black head. Palumbo (2022) has good images of the feeding damage, larvae, and pupae.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Hellula phidilealis is a largely tropical and subtropical species that occurs on several Carribbean islands, as well as in Central America, South America and the continental U.S. (Alam, 1989). In the U.S., it is largely confined to our southernmost states, including Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Florida. Specimens have only rarely been observed at more northern latitudes such as Pennsylvania. As of 2023, we have a single historical record from the Piedmont.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Flight Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Flight Comments: The adults have been observed year-round in Florida and from April-May and September-November in Arizona. Our one historical record was not dated.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Local populations are centered around agricultural fields where cabbage, broccoli and other members of the Brassicaceae are grown.
Larval Host Plants: Alam (1989) reported that H. phidilealis was commonly observed feeding on the pods and terminal shoots of Spiny Spiderflower (Cleome spinosa), Asian spiderflower (C. viscosa), an unidentified Cleome, and African Spiderflower (Gynandropsis (= Cleome) gynandra) in the Caribbean, Guyana, and Mexico. He surmised that Cleome spp. are the native hosts of this genus, and that populations shifted to exploiting cultivated members of the Brassicaceae secondarily. This species is now a commercial pest on numerous cultivated members of the Brassicaceae such as broccoli, cabbage, Chinese cabbage, collard, and kale. - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights and the larvae can be found on cultivated crucifers.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks:
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: As of 2023, we have a single historical record for North Carolina.