Caterpillar

Guides

Amphipyra
Amphipyra is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, constituting the sole genus in the tribe Amphipyrini. The genus is the only remaining member of the subfamily Amphipyrinae, with other former members reassigned to subfamilies such as Hadeninae. Caterpillars of at least one species, Amphipyra pyramidea, have been documented as prey for birds including the eastern bluebird. The genus has been recorded across multiple continents including Europe and North America.
moth Noctuidae caterpillar bird-prey food-web
Apoda biguttata
Shagreened Slug Moth
Apoda biguttata, commonly known as the shagreened slug moth, is a species of slug moth in the family Limacodidae. It is found in eastern North America. The adult has a wingspan of 19–30 mm and is active from April to August. The larvae feed on various deciduous trees including hornbeam, hickory, and oak.
Limacodidae slug-moth eastern-North-America deciduous-forest spring summer hornbeam hickory oak caterpillar venomous-setae
Ascalapha odorata
black witch, black witch moth, mariposa de la muerte, duppy bat, mariposa-bruxa, ura, money moth, money bat
The black witch moth (Ascalapha odorata) is a large, bat-shaped nocturnal moth and the largest noctuoid in the continental United States. Females reach wingspans up to 24 cm, while males are smaller at approximately 12 cm. The species ranges from the southern United States through Mexico and Central America to Brazil and Argentina, with migratory populations reaching as far north as Canada. It holds prominent cultural significance across Latin America and the Caribbean, where it is widely associated with death, misfortune, and spiritual beliefs.
nocturnal migratory folklore pest caterpillar large-moth legume-feeder fruit-feeder cultural-significance death-omen Caribbean Latin-America Hawaii-introduced moth Lepidoptera Erebidae Ascalapha Ascalapha-odorata black-witch black-witch-moth mariposa-de-la-muerte duppy-bat mariposa-bruxa ura money-moth money-bat Phalaena-odorata Linnaeus-1758 largest-noctuoid continental-US bat-shaped iridescent white-bar green-spot orange-spot comma-spot nine-spot 24-cm-wingspan 12-cm-wingspan 7-cm-caterpillar Acacia Gymnocladus-dioicus Kentucky-coffeetree Senna-alata candle-bush mesquite Ficus banana overripe-fruit rainforest agricultural-pest Mexico Central-America South-America Brazil Argentina United-States Canada Hawaii migration spring summer death misfortune spiritual soul harbinger lottery money hair-loss duppy ghost screwworm Dermatobia-hominis misidentification Silence-of-the-Lambs Buffalo-Bill Kendrick-Lamar To-Pimp-a-Butterfly Thysania-agrippina white-witch Thysania-zenobia owl-moth noctuid Erebinae hexapod arthropod insect animal eukaryote metazoa animalia arthropoda insecta noctuoidea species accepted exact-match 32867-observations iNaturalist GBIF Catalogue-of-Life NCBI Wikipedia entomology guide structured record taxon conservative accurate informative factual clarity usefulness no-speculation no-inference no-fabrication no-repetition unique-content cautious-language direct-sentences concrete-statements high-completeness medium-completeness low-completeness no-inferred-content null-for-unsupported field-intent style-rules quality-rules JSON-schema output-format no-commentary no-extra-fields no-fluff no-filler no-taxonomy-repetition no-technical-jargon no-vague-generalizations no-'like-most-insects'no-'typically-feeds-on-plants'has-been-observed is-known-to supported justified explicitly-justified species-level-traits higher-taxa physical-description-only how-to-distinguish environment-conditions geographic-range-only timing-of-activity feeding-habits developmental-stages notable-actions ecosystem-role interaction-with-humans reason-for-similarity meaningful-misconceptions important-additional-context clear direct concise useful reliable sparse-data well-supported partial most-fields
Cancer borealis
Jonah crab
Cancer borealis, commonly known as the Jonah crab, is a marine brachyuran crab native to the western Atlantic Ocean. It inhabits waters from Newfoundland to Florida, primarily in rocky marine environments. The species possesses a rounded, rough-edged carapace with small light spots and robust claws with dark brown-black tips. Males reach larger sizes than females, with maximum carapace widths of 222 mm versus approximately 150 mm. The Jonah crab has been extensively studied as a model organism for neurophysiology, particularly for its stomatogastric nervous system, which has contributed to understanding neural circuit function and neuromuscular control.
model-organism neurophysiology stomatogastric-ganglion commercial-fishery rocky-intertidal Atlantic-Ocean decapod crustacean ion-channel-research temperature-adaptation pH-adaptation neural-circuit neuromuscular competition fisheries marine-biology cell-identity transcriptomics potassium-channels K2P-channels muscle-physiology stomatogastric-nervous-system biogenic-amine-receptors GABA-receptors glutamate-receptors acetylcholine-receptors gap-junctions innexins Wnt-signaling obesity-research colon-cancer-research soluble-epoxide-hydrolase sEH-inhibitor omega-3-fatty-acids DHA-metabolites EDPs anti-angiogenic tumor-growth metastasis pain-research inflammatory-disease diabetic-neuropathy cancer-therapy chemotherapy-side-effects debris-stimulated-metastasis cytokine-storm macrophage inflammation-resolution eicosanoid-pathway prostaglandin-receptor EP4-antagonist clinical-trials EicOsis academic-industry-collaboration translational-research fundamental-science insect-metamorphosis caterpillar butterfly green-insecticide blood-pressure fibrosis immunity tissue-growth chronic-pain non-opiate-analgesic companion-animal human-health distinguished-professor National-Academy-of-Sciences National-Academy-of-Inventors UC-Davis Superfund-Program NIH NIEHS RIVER-program biotechnology-training peer-reviewed-publications lipidomics fatty-acid-diols high-fat-diet knockout-mouse pharmacological-inhibition molecular-analyses signaling-pathway mechanistic-studies USDA National-Natural-Science-Foundation-of-China mass-spectrometry compound-development PTUPB COX-2-inhibitor dual-inhibitor surge-protector tumor-recurrence treatment-resistance ovarian-cancer breast-cancer pancreatic-cancer liver-cancer colon-cancer obesity-enhanced-cancer angiogenesis metastasis-prevention tumor-microenvironment positive-feedback-cycle dormancy-escape surgical-tumor-resection peri-chemotherapeutic-management debris-clearance macrophage-derived-storm pro-inflammatory-mediators 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seed-fund-grants NIH/NINDS-Blueprint-Development-Grant human-clinical-trials 2019-schedule William-Schmidt vice-president-clinical-development large-NIH-grant diabetic-neuropathic-pain Jun-Yan-Liu human-sample-collection Weicang-Wang Jianan-Zhang Jun-Yang Jia-Sun Sung-Hee-Hwang Debin-Wan Yuxin-Wang Wiepeng-Qi Haixia-Yang Yeonhwa-Park Katherine-Sanidad Daeyoung-Kim Zhang-lab University-of-Massachusetts assistant-professor-food-science colonic-inflammation-prevention inflammatory-bowel-disease-prevention colon-cancer-prevention 30-percent-Americans-obese 30-60-percent-higher-colon-cancer-risk third-most-common-cancer second-leading-cause-cancer-death mechanisms-not-well-understood few-effective-strategies sEH-over-expression-obese-mice pharmacological-inhibition-abolishes-obesity-induced-inflammation genetic-deletion-abolishes-obesity-induced-inflammation activation-pro-tumorigenic-pathways essential-enzyme novel-agents Wnt-pathway 90-percent-sporadic-colorectal-cancers 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Oregon-Health-Science-University cardiologist new-drug-strategies nutrition-knowledge diet-influence-susceptibility tumor-progression-rate chemotherapy-response reasonable-recommendations pathway-uncovering tumor-development-influence tumor-growth-influence beneficial-pathways previously-unrecognized-anti-cancer-effect important-lipid-component heart-disease-prevention-diet cancer-prevention-diet new-blood-vessel-growth-suppression tumor-blood-supply-shutdown dramatic-tumor-growth-slowing UC-Davis-Department-Entomology-website co-author-photos Jianjun-Deng Harvard-Medical-School-lead-author 16-member-international-team Dipak-Panigrahy-laboratories Bruce-Hammock-laboratory inflammatory-response-control chemotherapy-treatments pancreatic-cancer-patients liver-cancer-patients decades-old-drug-candidate body's-raging-inflammatory-response deadly-inflammatory-response Proceedings-National-Academy-Sciences PNAS-publication rodent-models two-drug-combination inflammation-reduction debris-from-dying-tumor-cells metastasis-trigger cancer-spread sEH-enzyme-inhibition EP4-prostaglandin-receptor-blocking eicosanoid-pathway-blocking compound-synergy pancreas-cancer-metastasis-prevention liver-cancer-metastasis-prevention debris-clearance-stimulation INV-1120 highly-potent-selective-EP4-antagonist Phase-I-clinical-trial-Texas monotherapy-effect strong-synergy-anti-PD-1 sEH-candidate-synergy gemcitabine-synergy preclinical-animal-models Yongkui-Sun Ionova-Life-Science-chairman biotechnology-company-China basic-biomedical-research-translation novel-therapeutics Hammock-lab-co-lead-author National-Academy-Engineering Merck-research-and-development-team fruitful-academic-industry-collaboration excessive-inflammation lipid-storm human-body-reaction pancreatic-cancer-therapy debris-increase-sEH-EP4-proteins pro-inflammatory-lipid-autacoid pro-angiogenic-lipid-autacoid inflammatory-response-control-importance upstream-cytokine-modulation downstream-cytokine-blocking holistic-eicosanoid-modulation insidious-cancer-characteristics dying-cells-immune-system-training tumor-microenvironment-favorability therapy-combatting effectiveness-rendering double-edged-sword-cancer-therapy inflammatory-immunosuppressive-injury-response dormancy-escape-promotion tumor-recurrence-promotion Victoria-Haak University-Buffalo-first-year-medical-student China-Agricultural-University-researcher compound-synthesis novel-simple-effective-approach inflammation-turning-down cytokine-storm-prevention tumor-resection-consequence natural-pro-resolving-mediator-concentration-increase biological-system-action pro-resolution-mediator-production inflammation-modulation active-resolution-process EicOsis-Human-Health-LLC UC-Davis-based-company inhibitor-human-clinical-trials Texas-trials upstream-action eicosanoid-down-regulation cytokine-storm-down-regulation patient-help-optimism tremendous-clinic-translation-potential Panigrahy-quote 60,430-pancreatic-cancer-diagnoses-annually 31,950-male 28,480-female 48,220-pancreatic-cancer-deaths-annually 25,270-male 22,950-female 42,230-liver-cancer-diagnoses-annually 29,890-male 12,340-female 30,230-liver-cancer-deaths-annually 20,300-male 9,930-female American-Cancer-Society-statistics liver-cancer-incidence-tripling-since-1980 liver-cancer-death-rate-doubling chemotherapy-cancer-risk-elucidation metastasis-prevention-promise recurrence-prevention-promise surgical-tumor-resection-following pre-operative-inflammation-management peri-chemotherapeutic-inflammation-management cancer-recurrence-staving-off significant-translational-science-realization fundamental-science-importance caterpillar-butterfly-question-origin NIH-major-funding NIEHS-Superfund-Research-Program-grant NIH-RIVER-Program-grant National-Institute-Environmental-Health-Sciences Revolutionary-Innovative-Visionary-Environmental-Health-Research Panigrahy-three-grants Credit-Unions-Kids-at-Heart Joe-Andruzzi-Foundation C.J.-Buckley-Pediatric-Brain-Tumor-Fund research-article-screenshot Dipak-Panigrahy-Bruce-Hammock-conference-photo Bitly-link Allison-Gartung Harvard-Medical-School-BIDMC-lead-author 13-member-team Institute-Systems-Biology-Seattle Emory-University-School-Medicine-Atlanta mice-models-testing novel-approach-description therapy-induced-tumor-growth-suppression therapy-induced-recurrence-suppression therapy-generated-debris-tumor-promoting-activity-neutralization critical-prevention debris-mediated-inflammatory-response-protection ovarian-cancer-cells-chemotherapy-killed macrophage-cytokine-surge-induction lipid-mediator-surge-induction optimal-tumor-survival-environment-creation optimal-tumor-growth-environment-creation joint-appointment-confirmation tragic-treatment-paradox cure-treatments-survival-growth-help Sung-Hee-Hwang-chemist PTUPB-compound-development earlier-breast-lung-tumor-blocking-work clinical-evaluation-other-diseases Jun-Yang-mass-spectrometry lipid-mediator-stabilization-demonstration cancer-growth-reduction-demonstration metastasis-reduction-demonstration Dipak-Panigrahy-lead-researcher former-Harvard-physician-full-time-researcher Judah-Folkman-laboratory-angiogenesis-cancer-animal-modeling mother's-chemotherapy-dedication debris-model-basis ovarian-cancer-women-dedication American-Cancer-Society-ovarian-cancer-ranking fifth-cancer-deaths-women 1-in-78-ovarian-cancer-risk 14,000-annual-ovarian-cancer-deaths traditional-cancer-therapy-dilemma cancer-cell-killing-necessity inflammation-stimulation-inevitability tumor-regrowth-stimulation tumor-progression-stimulation debris-induced-tumor-progression-overcoming-paramount treatment-resistant-tumor-recurrence-prevention major-therapy-failure-reason potential-solution-definition common-problem-definition potential-clinic-translation Primo-Lara-Jr.UC-Davis-Comprehensive-Cancer-Center-director associate-director-Translational-Research Center-involvement-pleasure basic-research-clinic-translation-hope NSAIDs-non-steroidal-anti-inflammatory-drugs aspirin-ibuprofen pain-reduction fever-reduction severe-side-effects stomach-bleeding brain-bleeding cardiovascular-toxicity kidney-toxicity debris-clearing-enhancement-absence PTUPB-translation-exploration combination-current-cancer-therapies chemotherapy-combination radiation-combination immunotherapy-combination surgery-combination debris-generation-direct-indirect clinical-study-consistency-investigation next-step Jun-Yan-Liu-human-sample-collection omega3-fish-oil-combination-papers COX-inhibitor-combination-papers tumor-growth-blocking-papers metastasis-blocking-papers cancer-growth-mediator-regulation-papers young-graduate-student-UC-Berkeley caterpillar-butterfly-study Anise-swallowtail-caterpillar-Papilio-zelicaon-photo Anise-swallowtail-Papilio-zelicaon-photo Kathy-Keatley-Garvey-photos feature-story-reference John-Hafernik San-Francisco-State-University-professor 2008-discovery honey-bee-aberrant-behavior orderly-species foraging-behavior-patterns brood-care-patterns worker-bee-communication-paradigm food-source-location-communication food-source-quality-communication California-bee-observation disoriented-behavior uncoordinated-movement night-flying un-beelike-behaviors parasitic-fly-larval-infestation Apocephalus-borealis humpbacked-fly Phorid-fly-humpbacked-appearance coffin-fly-species carrion-breeding earth-burrowing meter-depth leaky-coffin-entry cadaver-food-search ant-parasitization-species ant-head-migration brain-consumption decapitation-outcome head-ground-development Vermont-2013-discovery zombiefication-act female-fly-egg-injection worker-bee-body-cavity maggot-hatching tissue-consumption unusual-behavior-causation night-hive-abandonment worker-bee-loss-disturbance Colony-Collapse-Disorder-CCD beekeeper-national-surveys September-2006-March-2007-hive-loss 32-percent-hive-loss 2007-2008-similar-period 36-percent-colony-loss zombie-phorid-fly-threat-seriousness CCD-cause-incomplete-understanding culprit-identification-progress Varroa-mite-introduction-late-1980s bee-industry-decimation mite-infestation larvae-blood-sucking pupae-blood-sucking adult-blood-sucking male-bee-targeting bee-weakening disease-predisposition virus-transfer acute-bee-paralysis-virus deformed-wing-virus primary-stress-agents pesticide-encounter pollen-source-suboptimality physiological-stress-imposition fungicide-implication-recent-publication bee-health-decline-contribution Varroa-mite-combat-pesticide-accumulation beeswax-accumulation nectar-pollen-residue-encounter comb-product-accumulation honey-accumulation immune-system-weakening disease-predisposition-increase Nosema-single-celled-gut-parasite worker-bee-dysentery brood-tending-reduction queen-tending-reduction queen-shortened-life queen-reduced-egg-laying CCD-incidence-decline-recent-years commercial-beekeeper-hive-loss 30-percent-exceeding cold-winter-concern debilitating-parasite-addition native-United-States-distribution coast-to-coast-border-to-border-existence native-bumble-bee-parasitization paper-wasp-parasitization honey-bee-attack-expansion-possibility crop-pollination-importance native-plant-pollination-importance bluebonnet-pollination Core-Runckel-Ivers-Quock-Siapno-et-al.-2012-PLoS-ONE-reference Pettis-Lichtenberg-Andree-Stitzinger-Rose-et-al.-2013-PLoS-ONE-reference ARS-USDA-honey-bee-CCD-website de-novo-transcriptome-assembly central-nervous-system-tissue 42,766-contigs gene-identification-curation-comparison 34-ion-channel-types 17-biogenic-amine-receptors 5-GABA-receptors 28-major-transmitter-receptor-subtypes 6-gap-junction-proteins neuronal-molecular-profile-strengths-limitations cell-type-classification ion-channel-gene-expression-product mRNA-abundance-patterns individual-cell-type-properties correlated-mRNA-expression-pattern-generation correlated-mRNA-expression-pattern-maintenance temperature-pH-dependent-potassium-currents 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Catalogue-of-Life-acceptance Stimpson-1859-authorship GBIF-Western-Atlantic-Ocean-presence DSpace-repository-landing-page HTML-metadata-abstract-field no-accessible-Cancer-borealis-biology-content no-biological-evidence-extractable PMCID-13019607 PMCID-12632486 DOI-10.1016/j.isci.2026.115244 DOI-10.1101/2025.10.06.680680 DOI-10.32469/10355/69970 DOI-10.23860/diss-3167 New-England-Atlantic-Ocean-explicit-habitat marine-environment-explicit water-temperature-variation-explicit pH-fluctuation-explicit depth-dependent-pH temperature-dependent-pH tidal-cycle-pH stomach-muscle-food-grinding stomach-teeth-movement pylorus-food-filtering stomatogastric-neuromuscular-system-function-maintenance environmental-temperature-fluctuation-tolerance environmental-pH-fluctuation-tolerance no-distribution-information-provided no-diet-information-provided no-life-cycle-information-provided no-reproduction-information-provided no-ecosystem-role-information-provided host-associations-inapplicable free-living-species competition-with-Homarus-americanus-explicit competition-with-Cancer-irroratus-explicit rocky-habitats-explicit Western-Atlantic-Ocean-explicit Newfoundland-to-Florida-explicit neurophysiology-model-organism-explicit stomatogastric-nervous-system-explicit neural-circuit-function-explicit neuromuscular-control-explicit ion-channel-function-explicit temperature-effects-explicit pH-effects-explicit mechanisms-neuronal-cell-identity-explicit commercial-fishery-explicit recreational-fishery-explicit Cancer-irroratus-similar-taxon-reason-explicit Homarus-americanus-similar-taxon-reason-explicit rocky-habitat-sharing-explicit competitive-interaction-explicit different-family-explicit neural-research-importance fisheries-importance conservative-factual-approach null-return-for-unsupported-fields no-inference-from-higher-taxa no-repetition-across-fields unique-non-overlapping-content no-vague-generalizations no-fabrication cautious-language-where-necessary clear-direct-sentences no-fluff no-filler no-taxonomy-repetition-in-prose no-overly-technical-jargon concrete-statements-preference completeness-medium-assessment partial-reliable-data no-inferred-content factual-correctness-priority clarity-priority usefulness-priority schema-strict-matching no-extra-fields no-external-commentary JSON-output-only
Citheronia regalis
Regal Moth, Royal Walnut Moth
Citheronia regalis is a large North American saturniid moth known as the regal moth or royal walnut moth. Its larval stage, the hickory horned devil, is one of the largest caterpillars in North America north of Mexico and is notable for its striking appearance with prominent red and black horns. Adults have vestigial mouthparts and do not feed, living only about a week to mate and lay eggs. The species has a single generation per year throughout most of its range.
saturniidae giant-silk-moth caterpillar hickory walnut univoltine defensive-mimicry hornworm forest-lepidoptera
Datana major
azalea caterpillar, major datana
Datana major is a moth in the family Notodontidae, commonly known as the azalea caterpillar or major datana. The species ranges across the eastern and central United States, from Maryland south to Florida and west to Kansas and Arkansas. Adults are active from June to August, with one generation per year in most of the range and a partial second generation in southern areas. The larvae are notable pests of azaleas and related ornamental plants.
moth caterpillar pest Ericaceae Notodontidae defoliator North-America ornamental-pest
Datana ministra
yellownecked caterpillar, Yellow-necked Caterpillar Moth
Datana ministra is a moth in the family Notodontidae, commonly known as the yellownecked caterpillar. The species is distributed across southern Canada and the eastern United States, extending west to California. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 42 mm and produce one generation per year. The larvae are notable defoliators of various hardwood trees.
defoliator hardwood-pest univoltine notodontid caterpillar
Estigmene acrea
Salt Marsh Moth, Acrea Moth
Estigmene acrea, commonly known as the salt marsh moth or acrea moth, is a native North American moth in the family Erebidae. The species is notable for its highly variable caterpillar coloration, ranging from pale yellow to dark brown or black, and its unique relationship with pyrrolizidine alkaloids—compounds it can detoxify and convert into sex pheromones. Adults display striking sexual dimorphism: males have yellow-orange hindwings while females have white hindwings, with both sexes bearing black spots. The species exhibits unusual mating behavior including male lek formation and female calling.
moth tiger-moth caterpillar salt-marsh alkaloid pheromone lek polyphagous pest North-America
Hypercompe scribonia
Giant Leopard Moth, Great Leopard Moth, Giant Woolly Bear (larval stage), Black Woolly Bear (larval stage), Eyed Tiger Moth
Hypercompe scribonia, the giant leopard moth, is the largest eastern tiger moth in North America. Adults are striking white moths with black circular spots and bars, while larvae are known as giant woolly bears—large, densely hairy black caterpillars with red rings visible between body segments when curled. The species is nocturnal, with males frequently attracted to lights. Larvae overwinter and complete development in spring, feeding on a broad range of herbaceous and woody plants.
moth tiger-moth woolly-bear caterpillar defensive-behavior nocturnal light-attraction overwintering aposematic-coloration North-America folklore
Ianassa lignicolor
White-streaked Prominent, white-streaked prominent moth, lacecapped caterpillar
A medium-sized moth in the family Notodontidae, commonly known as the White-streaked Prominent or lacecapped caterpillar. Adults display distinctive white streaking on the forewings. The species is widespread in eastern North America, with larvae recognized by their unique 'lace cap' appearance. The species has been subject to taxonomic revision, formerly placed in the genus Oligocentria.
Notodontidae Heterocampinae moth caterpillar North-America deciduous-forest defoliator
Litoprosopus
Palm Flower Moth, Palm Budworm
Litoprosopus is a genus of moths in the subfamily Dyopsinae of the family Erebidae, containing approximately seven described species. The genus is best known for Litoprosopus coachella, commonly called the palm flower moth or palm budworm, whose caterpillars feed on ornamental fan palms and frequently enter human dwellings to pupate. Adult moths are medium-sized with relatively dull coloration, while larvae are grub-like, nearly hairless, and possess powerful mandibles capable of delivering a noticeable bite.
palm-pest urban-entomology home-invader caterpillar nuisance-pest Arizona California Caribbean Dyopsinae Erebidae Noctuidae-sensu-lato
Litoprosopus coachella
palm flower moth, palm budworm
Litoprosopus coachella, commonly known as the palm flower moth or palm budworm, is a moth species in the family Erebidae. The species is notable for its larval stage, which feeds on palm flowers and buds, particularly of ornamental fan palms. Mature caterpillars abandon host plants to pupate, frequently entering human dwellings where they spin cocoons incorporating carpet fibers and other materials. The species is widely distributed in North America, with substantial populations in urban areas of the southwestern United States where palm landscaping is common. Adult moths are dull-colored and nocturnal.
moth caterpillar urban-pest palm-pest nocturnal complete-metamorphosis defensive-bite cocoon indoors North-America southwestern-US Arizona California Erebidae Dyopsinae
Lophocampa maculata
spotted tussock moth, yellow-spotted tussock moth, mottled tiger, spotted halisidota
Lophocampa maculata is a tiger moth in the family Erebidae, commonly known as the spotted tussock moth despite not being a true tussock moth (family Lymantriidae). The species was first described by Harris in 1841. Adults fly from May to July with one generation per year. The caterpillar is notable for its distinctive coloration: black at both ends with a yellow or orange middle section marked with black spots in some populations. The species is found across Canada, the western United States, and southward in the Appalachians to South Carolina and Kentucky.
moth tiger-moth caterpillar forest-insect North-America folivore parasitoid-host
Melanchra picta
Zebra Caterpillar Moth
Melanchra picta is a noctuid moth commonly known as the zebra caterpillar moth. The species is native to North America and is best known for its larval stage, which feeds on various cultivated plants including cabbages and beets. The moth belongs to the family Noctuidae, one of the largest families of moths, and is classified within the subfamily Noctuinae.
noctuid-moth pest agricultural-pest North-America caterpillar vegetable-pest
Polistes dominula
European Paper Wasp
Polistes dominula is a highly successful invasive social wasp native to Eurasia that has established populations across North America, South America, New Zealand, South Africa, and other regions. First detected in North America near Boston in 1978, it has become one of the most abundant wasps on the continent. The species builds small, exposed paper nests in protected locations and preys primarily on live insects, particularly caterpillars. Unlike yellowjackets, it does not scavenge for meat or sugar. Its rapid spread has been attributed to ecological flexibility, superior competitive ability, and tolerance of human-altered environments.
invasive-species social-wasp paper-wasp predator pollinator urban-ecology eusocial nest-construction biological-control thermal-biology spatial-learning vibrational-communication aposematism honest-signal overwintering diapause Polistes Vespidae Hymenoptera North-America Europe New-Zealand South-Africa South-America monarch-butterfly caterpillar-predation nest-architecture gyne foundress dominance-hierarchy climate-change-impact energetics metabolic-rate microclimate suburban-habitat anthropogenic ornamental-pest vineyard-pest fruit-damage stinging-insect venom poison-gland warning-coloration Zahavian-signal Strepsiptera parasitoid Xenos behavioral-plasticity foraging learning memory thermoregulation ectothermy endothermy solar-radiation nest-temperature brood-development colony-survival multiple-founding single-founding season-length latitude temperate Mediterranean hibernacle overwintering-costs climate-warming range-expansion competition native-species-displacement biodiversity-impact conservation management control integrated-pest-management IPM identification antennae-color facial-markings caste reproduction male female sexual-dimorphism antennae abdomen wing mandible saliva paper comb cell pedicel trophallaxis larva pupa adult worker queen subordinate dominant aggression defense threat-display sting toxicity brightness coloration predator-avoidance prey caterpillar Lepidoptera butterfly moth garden agriculture vineyard orchard urban suburban rural forest habitat-preference temperature metabolism quiescence torpor survival fitness colony nest population abundance distribution range expansion invasion establishment introduction biotic-interaction trophic-cascade herbivory-suppression plant-fitness milkweed Danaus-plexippus monarch Nelson Tasman ecosystem-impact conservation-management biological-invasion ecology behavior physiology morphology taxonomy systematics nomenclature gender-agreement Latin Christ 1791 Vespa-dominula basionym catalogue-of-life GBIF iNaturalist observation citizen-science photography illustration field-guide orange black yellow red color-pattern size wing-length body compact legs short face square triangular dark curled straight elbowed blunt pointed tip Zahavian costly-signal hunt forage nectar honeydew aphid scale-insect flower grape umbellifer fennel lovage insect meatball feed emerge chew cap hexagonal wood-fiber bark exposed open umbrella stalk ant repellent substance coat protect location eave attic tree branch vine shrub cavity bird-box bee-hive shed grave-lantern overwinter shelter protected thermal climate cold winter spring summer autumn fall season month day activity defend threat display raise tiptoe social dominance hierarchy reproductive egg lay found cooperate compete selfish passive-aggressive individual recognition facial-marking cognition mushroom-body brain intelligent artist architect navigation plasticity spatial relocating food resource dish bait training experience 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ReplyDelete RepliesReplyOut prairieSeptember 8:02 keeping cabbage worm seen RepliesReplyAnonymousSeptember 13 2:06 PM becoming here Upper Peninsula Michigan pendulum seems swung ago everywhere vanishingly rare haven't again house right RepliesReplyL.R ShimerSeptember 4:35 head gal work everybody else kinda egalitarian RepliesReplyLarryMay 9:34 directed Bev Wigney BTW lived NE Missouri detailed presented Thanks cogent scientifically accurate summary insect's life-cycle RepliesBug EricMay 3:47 kind compliments Delete RepliesReplyReplyAdd commentLoad Blog currently reply reader himself Working resolve Newer Older Subscribe Atom Demonized hosting 4 p.m.Saturday Jan 20 Room 1124 Academic Surge 455 Crocker Lane campus Attendees chat check 50,000 vespid eight-million free friendly Parking estimate 2000 described inhabit 500 undescribed headline-grabbing giant Vespa mandarinia formerly Asian news media dubbed murder hornet confuse identify sheet example hidden rodent burrow wall huge 100,00 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Spodoptera frugiperda
Fall Armyworm, Fall Armyworm Moth
Spodoptera frugiperda, commonly known as the fall armyworm, is a migratory moth species native to the Americas that has become a devastating invasive pest across Africa and Asia. The larvae are polyphagous, feeding on more than 80 plant species including maize, sorghum, cotton, and soybean. Economic damage from this species has been severe, with estimated losses of $2.5–6.3 billion annually in affected African countries. The species cannot overwinter in temperate regions, reinvading northern areas annually through long-distance migration.
pest agricultural-pest invasive-species migratory polyphagous noctuid-moth caterpillar maize-pest Bt-resistance
Synchlora xysteraria
Singed Emerald
Synchlora xysteraria is a small geometrid moth in the emerald moth genus Synchlora. First described by George Duryea Hulst in 1886, this species has a restricted distribution limited to the southeastern United States (Georgia and Florida) and the Caribbean islands of Cuba and Hispaniola. Like other members of its genus, larvae are known for their remarkable camouflage behavior, adorning their bodies with plant material from their host plants. The species is one of approximately 12 Synchlora species found in North America.
Geometridae Synchlora emerald-moth camouflage caterpillar southeastern-US Caribbean cryptic-coloration
Zale metata
Washed-out and Black-eyed Zale Moths and Allies
Zale metata is a nocturnal moth in the family Erebidae, part of the diverse owlet moth group. The species belongs to a genus commonly known as the "Washed-out and Black-eyed Zale Moths and Allies." Larvae of Zale moths have been documented as hosts for the parasitoid wasp Ammophila nigricans, a large sphecid wasp that provisions its nests with caterpillars. The specific epithet "metata" was established by Smith in 1908, with the species originally described under the basionym Phaeocyma metata.
Lepidoptera Erebidae Noctuoidea Zale North-America host parasitoid Ammophila-nigricans moth caterpillar
Zale undularis
Black Zale Moth
Zale undularis, commonly known as the black zale moth, is a medium-sized noctuid moth first described by Dru Drury in 1773. The species is characterized by its very dark brown to black coloration with distinctive undulating wing patterns. It occurs in the eastern United States and southern Ontario, where adults are active during warmer months. The caterpillars serve as prey for certain sphecid wasps, including Ammophila nigricans.
Noctuidae Erebidae moth North-America forest nocturnal caterpillar