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.

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