Phobetron pithecium
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_Moth_(Limacodidae_-_Slug_Caterpillar_Moths).jpg)
Phobetron pithecium |
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Phobetron pithecium | ||||||||||||
| ( Smith , 1797) |
Phobetron pithecium is occurring in North America butterfly ( moth ) from the family of limacodidae (Limacodidae).
features
butterfly
The wingspan of the moth is 20 to 28 millimeters. There is a slight sexual dimorphism between the sexes . The wings of the males are gray-brown in color, thinly scaled and translucent. The wings of the females show an indistinct gray-brown to dark yellow-brown marbling as well as weakly developed black-brown transverse lines. The middle pair of legs is provided with a yellowish tuft of hair that resembles the cups that carry the pollen in bees. It is believed that this is a mimicry pattern and serves to deter potential enemies. The thorax has furry brown hairs in both sexes, a proboscis is missing.
Caterpillar
The caterpillars have a creeping, like instead of Proleg couples snails . They can use it to move around or to suck on leaves. On the upper side they have a very conspicuous appearance that differs significantly from the typical, mostly elongated caterpillar shape. The body shape is made up of up to nine very hairy arms of different lengths on each side, the basic color of which is yellow-brown to rust-brown. A drawing sample is not available. Since the hair is stinging hair , it can make people itch when touched.
Distribution and occurrence
Phobetron pithecium occurs from Québec and Maine southwards in the eastern and central states of the USA to Florida as well as Nebraska , Arkansas and Mississippi in the west. The species prefers to colonize dense deciduous forests.
Way of life
The moths fly regionally differently between May and September. The polyphagous caterpillars feed on the leaves of various trees, including apple, birch, oak, ash, willow and walnut.
Danger
The species is not considered endangered in its range of occurrence, but is not yet officially classified by the World Conservation Organization IUCN .
Individual evidence
- ↑ The Monkey Slug
- ↑ Hag Moth Caterpillar ( Memento of the original from June 28, 2017 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ Distribution area
Web links
- marylandmoths - photos of the adults