Hodges#8108

Haploa colona

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Erebidae
Subfamily: Arctiinae
Tribe: Arctiini
Subtribe: Callimorphina
Genus: Haploa
Species: colona

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Haploa colona: /ˈhæploʊ ə ˈkoʊləˌnə/

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Summary

Haploa colona, known as the colona moth, is a moth of the family Erebidae, identified by its distinctive wing coloration and size. It inhabits southern woodlands and has a larval diet primarily consisting of deciduous plants.

Physical Characteristics

Wingspan 40–58 mm; forewings white with a variable number of brown markings; hindwings and abdomen sulfur yellow; thorax pure white or with dark brown stripes; caterpillar is dark brown to black with large bluish tubercles, marked by broken lengthwise stripes and covered with very short black hair.

Identification Tips

Look for the distinctive white forewings with brown markings and the sulfur yellow hindwings. The size can also help in identification as it is one of the larger moths in its genus.

Habitat

Rich, moist southern woodlands.

Distribution

Southeastern Virginia south to Florida and west to Texas.

Diet

Larvae feed on a variety of plants, especially deciduous shrubs and trees such as apple, ash, and hackberry.

Life Cycle

The life cycle includes stages as an egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa, and adult moth, primarily occurring from April to July.

Reproduction

Details about the reproductive habits are not provided, but typical moth reproduction involves laying eggs on host plants.

Evolution

First described by Jacob Hübner in 1802; it is the largest North American member of the genus Haploa.