Flax bollworm facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Flax bollworm |
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Heliothis
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H. ononis
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| Heliothis ononis (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)
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The flax bollworm (scientific name: Heliothis ononis) is a type of moth. It belongs to the Noctuidae family, which includes many different kinds of moths. This moth was first officially described in 1775 by two scientists, Michael Denis and Ignaz Schiffermüller.
About the Flax Bollworm
What It Looks Like
The flax bollworm is a small moth. Its wingspan (the distance from one wingtip to the other) is about 24 to 26 millimeters. That's roughly the size of a large coin.
Where It Lives
You can find the flax bollworm in many parts of the world. In Asia, it lives in China, Kazakhstan, central Asia, northern Mongolia, the Russian Far East, and the Korean Peninsula. It also lives in southern European Russia and parts of Turkey.
In Europe, it is found in southern and central areas. In Siberia, it lives in southern and eastern regions.
In North America, this moth lives in south-central Manitoba and stretches west to British Columbia. It can be found as far north as the Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Alaska. To the south, it reaches Colorado.
Life Cycle and Diet
Adult flax bollworms can be seen flying from May to July in North America. The young moths, called larvae, have a special diet. They feed on plants from the Linum species. These plants are commonly known as flax plants.
