Lithacodes fasciola

Lithacodes fasciola
File:Lithacodes fasciola.jpg
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Limacodidae
Genus:	Lithacodes
Species:	L. fasciola
Binomial name
Lithacodes fasciola ((Herrich-Schäffer 1854) )

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

Life cycle

There is one generation a year in the north, but two or more in southern USA, so that mature caterpillars may be found from May to November (Wagner, 2005).

Larva

The larva is flattened and ovoid in outline, with a short, squared off 'tail.' Bright yellow-green with yellow and green stripes along its length. Small craters dot the topside. Maximum length 15 mm. Like all limacodids, the legs are shortened and the prolegs are reduced to suction cups. Wagner (2005) notes that a high proportion of larvae have parasitoids. Their presence can be determined before emergence by a black spot formed by the breathing siphon of the fly.

Gallery

• Lithacodes.JPG

  Larva, Delton, USA

• Lithacodes fasciola larva.jpg

  Lithacodes fasciola larva;

• Lithacodes fasciola larvae.jpg

  Lithacodes fasciola larvae in a research facility; Washington, D.C

Pupa

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 forewings, black spots and a black crescent. The underwing is a paler grey-brown.

Food plants

Eats a variety of deciduous trees and shrubs, not limited to: apple, beech, birch, blueberry, cherry, chestnut, hickory, honey locust, hornbeam, linden, maple, oak, willow (Wagner, 2005).

References

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

External links

• [1] Adult