Cocoon
Guides
Hyperinae
Cocoon Weevils
Hyperinae is a subfamily of true weevils (Curculionidae) whose larvae are notable for constructing silk cocoons for pupation, earning them the common name 'Cocoon Weevils.' Larvae of some species exhibit unusual social behaviors, including coordinated processionary movement and chemical trail-following—traits convergent with social caterpillars but rare among beetles. The subfamily's taxonomic placement has been debated, with some species historically classified under Molytinae. Host plant associations include Malvaceae and Ericaceae, with the latter representing a newly documented host family for the group.
Lasiocampidae
Lappet Moths, Eggars, Tent Caterpillars, Snout Moths
Lasiocampidae is a family of moths comprising over 2,000 species worldwide, representing approximately 5% of global moth diversity. The family is characterized by large, hairy caterpillars with distinctive skin flaps on their prolegs, and adults that are typically large-bodied with broad wings. Many species are notable for their social larval behavior, including tent caterpillars that construct communal silk nests. The family is the sole member of the superfamily Lasiocampoidea and includes several economically significant forest pests.
Lepidopteramothstent-caterpillarsforest-pestsgregarious-larvaesilken-nestsdefoliatorsbipectinate-antennaelappet-mothseggarssnout-mothsMalacosomaDendrolimusEriogasterTolypePhyllodesmasocial-caterpillarsthermoregulationpheromone-trailscocoonfolivoryconifer-pestsdeciduous-forestintegrated-pest-managementMcMorran-dietLitoprosopus 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.
Meteorus
Meteorus is a large genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Braconidae, comprising over 330 described species worldwide. These wasps are distinguished from other braconids by two key morphological features: a second submarginal cell in the forewing and a petiolate (stalked) first tergite. The genus includes species with remarkable behavioral adaptations, such as Meteorus stellatus, which constructs star-shaped communal cocoon masses suspended by threads up to 1 meter long. Meteorus species function as biological control agents, parasitizing diverse host insects including caterpillars of moths and beetles.
Nolidae
Tufted Moths, Tuft Moths
Nolidae is a family of small to medium-sized moths within the superfamily Noctuoidea, comprising approximately 1,400-1,700 described species worldwide. Members are characterized by relatively dull coloration and, in the subfamilies Nolinae and Collomeninae, distinctive tufts of raised scales on the forewings. The family was historically treated as a subfamily of Noctuidae but is now recognized as distinct based on morphological and molecular evidence. A defining feature of the family is the construction of a silk cocoon with a vertical exit slit for pupal emergence.
Oreoneta
A genus of dwarf spiders (family Linyphiidae) established in 1894, comprising approximately 30 species distributed across cold-temperate and Arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Most species inhabit high-latitude or high-altitude environments. The genus was revised extensively by Saaristo & Marusik in 2004, resulting in numerous new species descriptions.
ArachnidaAraneaeLinyphiidaedwarf-spiderArcticborealHolarctictundramontanepredatorcold-adaptedground-dwellinghigh-latitudehigh-altitudeSaaristoMarusikChyzerKulczyński18942004-revisiongenitalic-charactersepigynumembolusconductorpalaearcticnearcticEurasiaNorth-AmericaScandinaviaSiberiaAlaskaCanadaGreenlandKazakhstanMongoliaChinaKurile-IslandsFinlandSwedenNorwayGermanySwitzerlandItalySlovakiaBulgariaCentral-Europetype-species:-Oreoneta-frigidathirty-species30-speciessmall-spidersheet-web-weavermoney-spiderLinyphiinaeErigoninaemicrohabitatlitter-dwellingcrypticunderstudiedtaxonomic-revisionmorphological-taxonomylight-microscopyspecies-descriptionbiogeographyglacial-refugiapost-glacial-colonizationendemicregional-endemicalpine-endemicArctic-endemicboreal-foresttaigarocky-habitatmeadowwetlandstream-marginsnowbedfellfieldheathmosslichenvegetationsoil-surfacestonerockboulderscreetalusdebrishumusorganic-layerpermafrostpolarsubpolarcold-stenothermstenothermstenotopichabitat-specialistconservationraredata-deficientIUCNred-listnatural-historysystematicsphylogenymolecular-systematicsDNA-barcodingCOIcytochrome-oxidase28S18SITSmorphologytaxonomyalpha-taxonomyrevisionmonographfaunisticschorologyzoogeographydispersalvicariancespeciationcryptic-speciesspecies-complexspecies-groupspecies-aggregatesubspeciesinfraspecificvariationpolymorphismsexual-dimorphismmalefemalejuvenileinstarecdysismoltingdevelopmentgrowthreproductionmatingcourtshipsperm-transferspermatophorepedipalppalpal-organcopulatory-organgenitaliaepigynevulvaspermathecafertilization-ductcopulatory-ductatriumscapemacerationdissectionmicroscopestereomicroscopecompound-microscopeillustrationdrawingphotographySEMscanning-electron-microscopyhabitusdorsalventrallateralprosomaopisthosomaabdomencephalothoraxcarapacesternumchelicerafanglegtarsusmetatarsustibiapatellafemurcoxatrochanterspinneretcolulustracheal-spiraclebook-lungcuticlesetahairspinemacrosetasensillumchaetotaxyeyeoculusocellianterior-median-eyeposterior-median-eyeanterior-lateral-eyeposterior-lateral-eyeeye-tubercleclypeusfoveapedicelwaistconstrictioncolorpatternpigmentationmelanismalbinismsizemeasurementtotal-lengthcarapace-lengthcarapace-widthabdomen-lengthleg-lengthleg-formulaindexratioproportionallometryontogenysubadultadultmaturitysexual-maturityreproductive-maturitylongevitylife-spangeneration-timevoltinismunivoltinesemivoltinebiennialperennialoverwinteringdiapausequiescencecold-hardinessfreeze-tolerancefreeze-avoidancesupercoolingcryoprotectantglycerolsorbitoltrehalosethermal-biologythermoregulationbehavioral-thermoregulationpostural-thermoregulationactivitydiurnalnocturnalcrepuscularmatutinalvespertinecircadianrhythmseasonalphenologycalendardatemonthactivity-periodbreeding-seasonovipositioneggegg-saccocoonsilkwebsheet-webtangle-webspace-webplatform-webdome-webbowl-webfunnelretreatsignal-linedraglineattachment-discampullate-glandcylindriform-glandaciniform-glandaggregate-glandflagelliform-glandtubuliform-glandpiriform-glandmajor-ampullateminor-ampullatesilk-proteinspidroinfibroinsericingluevisciddrycapture-silkdragline-silksafety-lineanchor-lineframe-lineradial-linespiral-linesticky-spiralnon-sticky-spiralhubperimetersubstratenicheguildfunctional-grouptrophic-levelcarnivorezoophagearthropodivoreinsectivorepreycaptureattacksubdueimmobilizekillfeeddigestextraoral-digestionsucking-stomachgutmidguthindgutMalpighian-tubuleexcretionosmoregulationmetabolismrespirationtracheaspiraclegas-exchangecirculationhemolymphheartaortasinusnervous-systembrainganglionnervesensory-organmechanoreceptorchemoreceptorthermoreceptorhygroreceptorphotoreceptorproprioceptortrichobothriumtarsal-organslit-sensillumlyriform-organpedipalp-organHaller's-organcontact-chemoreceptorgustatoryolfactorypheromonesemiochemicalkairomoneallomonesynomonecommunicationsignalvibrationseismicairbornevisualchemicaltactilecopulationinseminationspermspermatozoonmedian-apophysisterminal-apophysisparacymbiumcymbiumbulbustegulumsubtegulumradixlamellaprocessapophysisflangehookcoilspiralductreservoirscleriteplatefieldfossapocketreceptaculumspermathecaeglandinsemination-ductuterusuterus-externusuterus-internusvaginagonoporeovipositorovaryoviductfolliclevitellogenesisoogenesisspermatogenesistestisvas-deferensejaculatory-ductseminal-vesiclefecundityfertilityclutch-sizeegg-numberhatchingemergenceballooningaerial-dispersalsilk-draglinegossamermigrationmovementwalkingrunningjumpingclimbingburrowinghidingrefugeshelterdefensepredationpredator-avoidanceantipredatorcrypsiscamouflagemimicryaposematismdeimaticthanatosisautotomyleg-lossregenerationinjurywoundhealingimmune-responsehemocytemelanizationencapsulationnoduleparasiteparasitoidpathogenfungusbacteriumvirusnematodemitegroomingcleaninghygieneself-maintenancesilk-useweb-useprey-captureforaginghuntingambushsit-and-waitactive-huntingsearchingprobingtestingexplorationlearningmemorycognitionbehaviorethologyecologypopulationcommunityecosystembiomebiospherehabitatenvironmentabioticbioticfactortemperaturehumiditymoistureprecipitationrainsnowwindlightphotoperiodday-lengthradiationUVsoilcovercomplexityheterogeneityproductivityenergynutrientcarbonnitrogenphosphorusfood-webtrophic-interactionpredator-preycompetitionintraspecificinterspecificresourcepartitioningcoexistencediversityrichnessevennessabundancedensityfrequencyoccurrencepresenceabsencedetectionsamplingcollectionpitfall-trapquadrattransecthand-collectingbeatingsiftingextractionBerleseTullgrenWinklerflotationsortingpreservationethanolformalinmountslidelabelcatalogdatabaserepositorymuseumvouchertypeholotypeparatypesyntypelectotypeparalectotypeneotypetopotypeoriginaldatalocalitygeoreferencecoordinatelatitudelongitudeelevationaltitudedepthcollectordeterminationidentificationexpertspecialistliteraturepublicationjournalarticlepaperbookthesisdissertationreportchecklistonlinedigitalarchivebibliographyreferencecitationauthoryearvolumepagefiguremaptableappendixsupplementarymaterialmethodsresultsdiscussionconclusionabstractkeywordindex-termsubjecttopicdisciplinesciencebiologyzoologyarachnologyentomologyevolutionphylogeneticsbiologicalnatureprotectionmanagementpolicylegislationrestorationmonitoringassessmentindicatorflagshipumbrellakeystoneengineerservicefunctiondynamicsstabilityresilienceresistancerecoverysuccessiondisturbanceclimatechangewarmingglacierrangeshiftexpansioncontractionfragmentationisolationconnectivitycorridornetworkreserveparkprotectedareawildernessurbanruralagriculturalforestryminingimpactthreatriskvulnerabilitysensitivityexposureadaptivecapacitymitigationadaptationsustainableuseharvesttradeeconomymedicineresearcheducationoutreachcitizenengagementawarenessappreciationaestheticculturalspiritualexistencevalueintrinsicinstrumentalutilitariananthropocentricbiocentricecocentricethicphilosophyhistorydiscoveryexpeditionvoyagesurveyinventoryfaunabiotabiodiversitylifeearthplanetwildlifeanimalinvertebratearthropodcheliceratearachnidspideraraneomorphentelegynemicryphantidOreoneta2004frigidatype-speciesalpinefeedingtype-specimenclimate-changeprotected-areaTrichonephila clavata
Jorō spider, Joro Spider, Parachute spider
Trichonephila clavata, commonly known as the Jorō spider, is a large orb-weaving spider native to East Asia that has become established as an invasive species in the southeastern United States since approximately 2010. First confirmed in Georgia in 2014, it has expanded rapidly across multiple states through a combination of ballooning dispersal and human-mediated transport. The species is notable for its substantial size, striking coloration, and extensive golden webs, but poses minimal risk to humans due to small fangs and docile behavior. Its physiological adaptations—including higher metabolic rate, faster heart rate, and greater cold tolerance than its congener Trichonephila clavipes—suggest potential for continued northward range expansion.
invasive-speciesorb-weaverballooningurban-wildlifebiological-controlcold-tolerancestartle-responsecannibalismkleptoparasitismJapanese-folkloreNephilidaeTrichonephilaspider-silkrange-expansionphysiological-adaptationurban-ecologyagricultural-pest-predatoriNaturalistGeorgiaMarylandEast-AsiaUnited-Statesspider-bitevenomdocilenon-aggressiveweb-architectureegg-sacoverwinteringsexual-dimorphismmetabolic-rateheart-ratefreeze-toleranceroad-ecologyprey-capturecompetitionnative-spider-impactspublic-perceptionmedia-sensationalismmanagementpesticide-alternativesbroom-removalornamentalstructural-pestornithologycardinalweb-strengthtrophic-interactionsDNA-metabarcodingdiet-analysisspecies-distribution-modelphysiological-entomologybehavioral-ecologyarachnologyballooning-dispersalhuman-mediated-dispersalhitchhikercargo-stowawayport-of-entryclimate-changewarmingnorthward-expansionDMVHoward-CountyElkridgeIlchesterWest-Elkridgebeech-forestsecondary-forestsuburbanroadsidetelephone-polestreetlampforest-edgedisturbance-toleranceprey-detectionvibrational-noiseauditory-disturbancemotionlessfreezingshynessHannibal-Lecterstink-buglanternflyevolutionary-historyancient-associationecosystem-servicebiocontrolnatural-enemyinvasive-pestbrown-marmorated-stink-bugspotted-lanternflyHalyomorpha-halysLycorma-delicatulacompetitive-exclusiondominant-orb-weaverabundantpopulation-growthrapid-spreadrange-span120,000-km2physiological-plasticitymetabolismtwice-as-high77%-higher-heart-rate74%-freeze-survivaldevelopment-rateseasonal-windowlife-cycle-completionthermal-limitationcongener-comparisonnatural-dispersalhuman-transportiNaturalist-recordcitizen-scienceconfirmed-sightingbreeding-populationmale-and-femalegravid-femaleegg-casestowawaycargo-containerport-introductionlocal-portvehicle-transporthitchhikingaccelerated-arrivalseveral-yearsnatural-meansprognosticationpredictionmodelsuitable-habitatabundant-suitable-habitateastern-North-Americawestern-North-Americapotential-rangeinvasive-rangepotential-impactenvironmental-impactecological-impactecosystem-impactmonitorcautiousevidence-basedreasonable-journalismsensationalismexaggerationuncritical-acceptanceharmlesscarefully-monitorednext-stepsresearch-opportunitycall-for-researchknowledge-gaplittle-knownnovel-ecosystemspreadingrapidly-expandinginvasive-predatorinvasive-orb-weavernon-nativeintroducedestablishedcolonizedthrivingdoing-finehappymerely-20-minutes-awayroad-tripvisitaccess-spreadbeech-leaf-diseaseBLDstate-forestremarkable-colonyamongst-beech-treesconfirmed-prognosticationDavis-and-Frickescape-relative-warmthexpand-range-northwardeastern-seaboardmerely-20-minutes-away-from-homeresist-opportunityamazing-predatorstales-of-arrivalprevious-episodes20222024reduce-angstlarge-non-native-spiderestablishing-in-DMVfacts-presentedpast-episodevenomous-terrible-painfulNahexpert-Rick-Hoebekerisks-smallpuny-fangsunlikely-pierce-skinvideocompletely-non-aggressiveeastern-Howard-Countyhaphazard-webslittered-with-remainsformer-victimsleavesshed-exoskeletonsmuch-larger-femaledwarfs-matepositioned-just-abovestrand-of-silkspinneretsunderside-of-abdomennear-red-moundrelative-to-handlarge-and-docilewait-and-seewhat-Jorō-means-to-ecosystemshelp-other-spidersput-a-beat-down-on-invasive-pestsstink-bugsspotted-lanternfliespassive-huntersenormous-webslarger-than-a-meter-in-diametercapture-prey-snared-in-silkarachnophobes-scaryarachnophiles-beautifulimportant-ecosystem-servicescrop-pestsnative-rangeAsiahaving-an-old-friend-over-for-dinnerreunitefirst-timelarge-spidersjuicy-prey-itemsfeathered-and-non-feathered-reptilesposes-no-known-threatdifficult-to-predict-impactnon-native-speciesexperts-suggestbeyond-scary-miengive-indigenous-large-orb-weavers-run-for-their-moneyblack-and-yellow-garden-spidermarbled-orb-weaverspotted-orb-weaverother-parts-of-worldmost-abundant-and-dominant-orb-weaverwhat-will-it-meanonly-time-will-tellfinal-tidbitJorō-shapeshifterJorō-gumobeautiful-womanseduces-menbinds-with-silkdevoursbad-dateacknowledgementsRick-Hoebekeidentifying-JorōinsightsDavid-CoyleBob-Bellingergreat-imagesknowledgestudiesVeni-vidi-viciNelsen-et-al.Physiological-evaluationNephila-clavata-newly-recordedHoebeke-et-al.Life-Cycle-Habitat-and-VariationMooreStartle-responsesDavis-and-AneraoHow-Urban-Tolerant-Are-TheyDavis-et-al.inspirationdetailsstarsDave-ClementMiri-TalabacMaddie-Potterhooked-up-with-colonydifferentiateresources.ipmcenters.orglinkJorō-guruDavid-Coyle's-takeYouTubecalm-your-fearsJournal-of-Economic-EntomologyJournal-of-Medical-Entomologychemical-management-strategieseffective-management-methodsspider-control-productssafe-and-effectiveunlikely-to-bitegenerally-harmlessbig-spiderscolorful-spidersinvasive-spidersin-your-face-spiderswebs-on-homeslandscape-plantsstructuresmiddle-of-where-people-live-work-and-playnorthern-Georgia-2014presumed-arrived-few-years-prior15-yearsincreased-dramaticallymuch-of-Southeastdisjunct-populationsnortheastern-U.S.firestorm-of-interestrapidly-expanding-rangesoutheastern-statesmany-countiesCarol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