Lithacodes fasciola

Lithacodes fasciola, the yellow-shouldered slug or ochre-winged hag moth, is a moth of the family Limacodidae.

Lithacodes fasciola
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Limacodidae
Genus:
Lithacodes
Species:
L. fasciola
Binomial name
Lithacodes fasciola

Lifecycle

One generation a year occurs in the north, but two or more in southern United States, so mature caterpillars may be found from May to November.[1]

Larva

The larva is flattened and ovoid in outline, with a short, squared off "tail". It is a bright yellow green with yellow and green stripes along its length. Small craters dot its topside. Maximum length is 15 mm.[1] Like all limacodids, the legs are shortened and the prolegs are reduced to suction cups. A high proportion of larvae has parasitoids. Their presence can be determined before emergence by a black spot formed by the breathing siphon of the fly.

Pupa

This species pupates in a cup-shaped cocoon with a circular escape hatch.

Adult

The small (1 cm) moth is "hairy" and brown, with a white stripe bordered in black across the fore wings, black spots, and a black crescent. The under wing is a paler grey brown.[1]

Food plants

This moth eats a variety of deciduous trees and shrubs, such as apple, beech, birch, blueberry, cherry, chestnut, hickory, honey locust, hornbeam, linden, maple, oak, and willow.

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References
  1. Wagner, DL, 2005. Caterpillars of Eastern North America. Princeton University Press
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