Lophocampa caryae
Encyclopedia
Lophocampa caryae, the Hickory Tussock Moth or Hickory Halisidota, is a moth in the family Arctiidae
. Like most species in its family, the caterpillars acquire chemical defenses from their host plants (Weller et al. 1999). The behaviour and aposematic
coloration of the larvae (caterpillars) also suggests chemical protection in this stage, although they have not been analyzed for alkaloid or cardenolide
content.
Formerly placed in the genus Halysidota.
Caterpillar
s are covered all over in long hairlike setae, in spreading tufts. Most are white, but there are black tufts along the middle of the back, and four long black hair pencils (two near the front, and two near the back). These hairs cause itchy rashes in some people (Wagner, 2005). There are black spots along the sides, and the head capsule is black.
Mature caterpillars are found from July to September (Wagner 2005). Caterpillars feed in groups of 100 or so in the early instars (Wagner 2005), skeletonizing the leaves. They become solitary later. Grows to a length of 4.5 cm.http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2130.html
Arctiidae
Arctiidae is a large and diverse family of moths with around 11,000 species found all over the world, including 6,000 neotropical species. This family includes the groups commonly known as tiger moths , which usually have bright colours, footmen , lichen moths and wasp moths...
. Like most species in its family, the caterpillars acquire chemical defenses from their host plants (Weller et al. 1999). The behaviour and aposematic
Aposematism
Aposematism , perhaps most commonly known in the context of warning colouration, describes a family of antipredator adaptations where a warning signal is associated with the unprofitability of a prey item to potential predators...
coloration of the larvae (caterpillars) also suggests chemical protection in this stage, although they have not been analyzed for alkaloid or cardenolide
Cardenolide
Cardenolide is a type of steroid. Many plants contain derivatives, collectively known as cardenolides, including many in the form of cardenolide glycosides...
content.
Formerly placed in the genus Halysidota.
Larva
Caterpillar
Caterpillars are the larval form of members of the order Lepidoptera . They are mostly herbivorous in food habit, although some species are insectivorous. Caterpillars are voracious feeders and many of them are considered to be pests in agriculture...
s are covered all over in long hairlike setae, in spreading tufts. Most are white, but there are black tufts along the middle of the back, and four long black hair pencils (two near the front, and two near the back). These hairs cause itchy rashes in some people (Wagner, 2005). There are black spots along the sides, and the head capsule is black.
Mature caterpillars are found from July to September (Wagner 2005). Caterpillars feed in groups of 100 or so in the early instars (Wagner 2005), skeletonizing the leaves. They become solitary later. Grows to a length of 4.5 cm.http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2130.html
Pupa
The cocoon is loose and has 'hairs' woven into it, and overwinters in the leaf litter (Wagner 2005).Adults
Fore-wings are yellowish-brown, marked with white splotches in a kind of stained glass effect. The hindwings are mostly white. The body is 'hairy' and pale brown. Moths fly in May and June (Rose and Lindquist, 1982).Food plants
Primarily feeds on hickory, pecan and walnuts, but will also eat ash, elm, oak, willow, and many others (Wagner, 2005). Occasionally causes local defoliation of nut trees, but high densities do not last long enough to cause a lot of damage (Rose and Lindquist 1982)External links
- http://www.marylandmoths.com/Html/Arctiidae/Arctiinae/Phaegopterini/Lophocampa_caryae.html Moths and caterpillar
- http://iz.carnegiemnh.org/inverts/bugpests.html Image of larva and cocoon