Bulletin 633 February 1998 Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station James E. Marion, Director Auburn University, Alabama f' / a{~ 'ILIIILI ir (IF 3 'ies Poundl b.~~zRJlna C'~ +II : az-: -~ /e j, ,, v :$~ CONTENTS Introduction Stingers Slug Caterpillars-Family Limacodidae Flannel Moths-Family Megalopygidae Giant Silkworms-Family Saturniidae Tussock Moths-Family Lymantriidae Dagger Moths-Family Noctuidae Tent Caterpillars-Family Lasiocampidae Smoky Moths-Family Zygaenidae Prominents and Datanas-Family Notodonidae Nymphalid Butterflies-Family Nymphalidae Non-Stingers Dangerous-Looking, but Harmless Caterpillars Caution Selected References 1 3 7 9 10 11 12 14 14 15 16 21 21 First Printing 3M, February 1998 Information contained herein is available to all persons regardless of race, color, sex, or national origin. (N Stinuino L. L. HYCHEI A GUIDE TO RECOGNITION OF SPECIES FOUND ON ALABAMA TREES ( INTRODUCTION ATERPILLARS are larvae (the "worm" forms) of insects in the order Lepidoptera-the butterflies, skippers, and moths. In number of species kno'n, Lepidoptera is the second largest of all insect orders. Consequently, caterpillars are numerous; mote than 11,000 species occur in North America, with over 5,000 species in the eastern United States alone. Most caterpillars are plant teeders. They occur on a wide variety of plants, and many are serious pests. Caterpillars are among the most common of all insect forms found on foliage of forest, shade, and ornamental trees. The typical caterpillar has a distinct head and a cylindrical body composed of 13 segments. The anterior three body segments constitute the thorax, and each thoracic segment bears a pair of jointed legs. The remaining 10 segments make up the abdomen. Typically, abdominal segments three, tour, five, six, and 10 each bears a pair of unjointed, fleshy projections called prolegs. In some caterpillar groups, however, ptolegs may be absent (slug caterpillars) ot occur only on segments five, six, and ten or six and ten Associate Protessor, Department of Entomology 2 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION (loopers). Prolegs are equipped with rows or circles of small hooks called crochets which aid caterpillars in crawling and clinging to surfaces. Caterpillars come in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. Some species are bare, others sparsely to densely clothed with fine setae (hairs); some are drab, others brightly multicolored; some have smooth bodies, others bear one to many tubercles, bristles, spines, and/or horn-like projections. Within the group are found some of the largest and most striking representatives of our native insects. Also, within the group are found CATERPILLARS THAT "STING". Stinging caterpillars do not sting in the familiar manner of bees, yellowjackets, hornets, and wasps (Order Hymenoptera). In the bee-wasp group, females (only females sting) are equipped with venom glands and stingers (modified ovipositors) with which they penetrate skin and introduce venom. Among the lepidopterans, neither the adult nor the caterpillar possesses this type of sting apparatus. Instead, stinging caterpillars bear specialized nettling or urticaceous setae or spines. These structures are hollow and contain toxins from poison-gland cells to which they are joined. These are primarily defensive structures for protection of caterpillars from predators and other enemies. The sting inflicted on humans is not from a deliberate attack by the caterpillar, but the result of contact, usually inadvertent, with toxin-bearing setae or spines. When brushed against, these structures break away, releasing toxins. In some cases, broken setae may penetrate the skin; in others, toxins spill out to spread on the surface of the skin. Reactions to contact vary and include: slight to intense nettling, stinging, itching, or burning sensations; development of dermatitis, rash, lesions, or pustules; inflammation, swelling, and numbness at or around the area of contact; fever and nausea; and, in some cases, intense pain. The type of reaction depends on the species of caterpillar, degree of contact, type of toxin, and susceptibility of the individual. Reactions may be especially severe for individuals with allergies or sensitive skin. The irritation usually results from direct contact with a live caterpillar. However, in some species, urticating setae may retain nettling capabilities for some time after death of the caterpillar. Molted skins and silk cocoons bearing toxic hairs from last-stage larvae may also cause nettling if handled. Nettling caused by contact with dead caterpillars, cast skins, and cocoons is generally milder than that produced by live caterpillars. Many species of caterpillars are variously armed or clothed with setae and spines; however, only a relative few actually possess venomous or urticating structures. Thus, there are "stingers" and harmless "look-a-likes", and STINGING CATERPILLARS 3 disting~uishing one tiom the othei solely on ap pearance is difticult. Deteimining wxhich is wxhich by "hands-on" pers>onal bio-assay is foolproof but could be foolhardyx and painfl During years of study of tree insects at the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, sexveral species of iirticating caterpillars haxve been ericouintered and identified. Represented aie nine families that contain one or more species knowxn, or reported, to he urticaceous or otherwxise capable of causing irritating reactions on contact xxith human skin. The followxing is offered as a guide to recognition ot stinging caterpillars found on Alabama trees. Also included are some common "dangerous-looking" but harmless caterpillars tound on tree> and shruibs. SLUG CATERPILLARS - FAMILY LIMACODIDAE Slug caterpillars bear little resenmblance to the typical caterpillar. The head is hidden xithin the thorax; thoiacic legs are reduced; and piolegs are moditied to sucker-like lobe> without crochets. Moxvement is slowx, gliding, >lug-like Most species tend to be solitary teeders, and seldom occur in xufficient abundance to cause seirious los> of tree toliage. Sexveial species of 4 ig caterpillars poss'ess urricating setae or spines. The folloxxing are known to occuir in Alabama. Saddleback Caterpillar (Sibine stimulea) The saddleback one lofg the t m oil c r t commo r c u ring in the area. form It> and °. 01 d-0 t .<. conspicuiou> maikings make it neaily unmistakable, even in the early >tage> ot dexvelopment. The tfill-grown cateipillar ix about one S: Saddlebacks: fullygrown larva at left; young larvae at right. In some sections of Alabama, saddlebacks are most likely called "-packsaddles". ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION nch 101n'. The intelrior and posteio icas pirominent brawn "harns that hear numeru oa the body are diirk hrawn with spines. The middle at the hody is green. The green area has a white or cream margin and a large aval to oblong dark brown spot in the center, also wxith white margin. The appearandice is that oft saddlIanrd b la nket, thusi thle como n iiamaiiaie. Smai ll clumps at spines occur in a row alang; the lower margin at the at the rear at the atei pillai. gi een area and The saddlehick is 1generally a solitary teeder; howxev er, early stage liirvae may he somewhat gregariaois. The cateirpillar (cc urs an a wxide variety at trees, shrubs, and ather plants, inc luding corn. Caiimnon tree hosts are apple, basswood, cherry, dogwood, elm, maple, oak, and plum. It is imast oftten enciointered in late summei and tall. The sting severe at the slug caterpillais if the saddleback is the mast Hag Moth Caterpillar hbto pithecium) moath larv a, sanc-m.r X1 distinctive in tarm and easy to identify. The fuill- Hag moth caterpillars (monkey slugs); lateral and dorsal views. growxn caterpillar is browni hairy, and abaut 5/8 inch lon,. Alang the body theie are nine pairs at fleshy lateral process'es which hear hidden urticating setae. The third, titth, and sev enth pairs at processes are lang and sametimes twxisted. These have been described as resembling "dishev eled lacks at a hag", apparently the basis tar the coimman name. The caterpillar is generally a solitary teeder, and wxill teed an taliage at several trees including apple, ash, birch, dogwooad, hickory, aak, and xxi llaxx. It has heen collec ted tram July into tall, hult is Lisually imo(st common in August arid Septemher. The specimens pictured wxere callec ted trom oak in September. STINGING CATERPILLARS Stinging Rose Caterpillar (Parasa indetermina) The fill-grown caterpillar is 3/4 to 7/8 in, h long; basic color is \ ellmxx The body bear> pair> long, spines , of ,er horn-like, bristle and c lumps smaller spines wxhich characteristic of severlI the slug caterpillars. usetful identifying teriti~i> te A Stinging rose caterpillar. charic boad purplish band down the mnidline of the back. Within the hand are narrow wxhitish longitudinal lines, wxhich may be interrupted by constrictions in the hand. Reddish, wxhire, and purple lines ocur along the sides. Hosts ot the stinging rose caterpillar include apple, cottonwxood, dogwxood, hickory, oak, redbud, sy camore and rose bushes. Larv ae are us~ually found in August. Specimens hav e been collected in Lee County trom cottonwxood and oak at the end ot August. Spiny Oak Slug (Eudlea delphin ii) n fill-grown The larv a is about 3/4 inch long. Basic color is yellow- green but color, especiallx ot the pattern on the bck ra vaiy. There are thiee pair ot large horn-like spine wxith black-tipped bristles at the tront and twxo paits at the rear. Clump> ot smallei spines occui in row> along n / - Spiny oak slug on redbud leaf. the back and sides. There are tour dense clump> ot snmall dark spines at the rear end; these ate important characteristics tot identifying the species. 6 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION The caterpillar teeds on toli'e it several woodi plants including beech, cherry, maple, oak, redbud, sycamore, and willow. It is isually found in late summer and tall. The specimen pictured here was collected from redbud in late September. Isa textula This species has no knoxxn coimm~on naie. nitshabits make> no is liabited ando to whether or not the specics being a slugs it reference v has stinging capabilities. However, caterpillar with seems susSpect. well-equipped spines, full-groxn bristled The Isa textula larva on sawtooth oak. caterpillai is flattened and about 5/8 inch long. Color and marking are a> pictured. Tree hosts include cherry, maple, and oak. The species is not common in our area. The specimen pictLired was collected in Lee County from saxxwtooth oak in mid-Septembei. Nason's Slug (Natada nasoni)2 The torm of Nason's slug difttci from that of the foregoing slugs in th. there are no large, conspicuous, horn-lii N} bristled spines present. There are, however, rows or tutts of small spines, some ot which are urticating, along the back and sides. The nettling sensation produced is mild and short-lixved. 'Identification at Nason's sluf suplied bx Dr. Marc Epstein, Nation il Museum t Natui il History, Siiiithsonian Institution, Washington D.C. N'ason's slug on oak. STINGING CATERPILLARS The toll-gri xxn caterpillar "reen; 7 is 3/4 to 7 ' inch lon. Bair color is niarkings are as pietliled. Food trees include beech, hickory, hornbeam, oak, mid several other trees and shrubs. This caterpillar is not commoih n in onr area. The specimen pictuied here was collected in Lee County trom saxxtooth oak in early October. FLANNEL MOTHS desci ptin sexven pair f - FAMILY MEGALOPYGIDAE Flannel moth caterpillars, like slue caiterpillars, Jo not exactly fit the the axpical lepidopterous larva. Structuirally they ditter in haimin iathei than fixe (oi ot prolegs le s) pait> common to ty pical cater pillars. M~ost are clothed wxith tine, long, silky haiis. Ther e aie no conspicuions large, thireaitening, bristle-beaiiri, pioducing sexverc "hotns" to wxamn ot danger; howxexei, concealed wxithin the hairx coat> ire xenomn>t >etae Capable of reactions. Larvae ot flannel moth> teed on a xviriety ot trees and shrubs. Young lamx e feed giegariouisly; oldei larvxae aie often tound teeding singly. In most y ears, populations are lowx and foliage los> iminimil; however, some speciles can become abundant and ciause extensiv e defoliition ot trees. Thice species ot tian nel moths are knowxn to occur in the S titheaist. Txo ot these, the pus> cater pi llar and xwhire linnel inoth, ate common in Alabama. Puss Caterpillar (Megalopyge opercularis) The puis caterpla ald> (the adult is i I> tilI it t llar Contact max rdc ex re reaction> n l d and nettling of h >kin >exie ain;ied denini .md Puss caterpillars. The caterpillar at the left is fully grown;~ the one at right is still developing, note the recently shed (and still urticaceous) skin beside the larva. demu" ad ~ inlann~i i~t tion; dex elopmienr of 8 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION puistules and other les ions; numbntss sexlling2, xxhuh ray sometimes be extensiv e; and nauisea. Pain may perist from one to 12 or more hours. In some instances, vic~tims hax e reqluir ed medical attention. The litrva is xirticia in, in al stages, bit sev erity of the ireaction i> g~enerally propor tional to size. Also, newx l molted skins retain stimni ,n capabilities. The caterpillar is thickly coxvered wxith tine, lone, tan, grai ih to broxx n hairs, among wxhich are hidden venomoi> setae Hairs peak root-like ov er the back and riper reai x id to tor m a "tail". Hairs along the "ridge" of the back occur in small tutts; on each side ari s mall patches it xxhite. The fall 'iown larva is aout one inch long, Hit xxith it> hairyx coat, appears to he mutch larger. The overall length of the specimen showxn at left in photo on page 7is I 5/8 inc~hes. Pu s cater pillar> teed ont toliage of a vatriety of broadleaf tree> and >hrub>. S one common tree hosts ire apple, elm, haL kberrx , maple, oak, pecan, and sy camore. Txo larvxal broodsl likelx occur each season iii Alabama, one in spring and carly siumiiir aid one ini lite >umimer aiid fall. It is the caterpillirs of the second brood that ate most often encountered. Specinxnen pictured here wer ci ollected in Lee County diiiing Sep>tember. White Flannel Moth (Norape ovina) The full groxxn citer pillar of the xx-hite flannel moth body is baisically pale yello with a broaid, datrk brown tn black band on the back Within the band is a doul roWx of raised, pale xellox spot or rubercles wvhich bear clumpi of setae occur along each >ide. Caterpillars of the white flannel moth: early stage larvae (above) full-grown larva(below). Overall, the body is sparsely Clothed xxith longer hairs. This caterpillai is known to teed on i edbud, hacklberry, beech, muimosa, i and honex locust. In Alaib ma, it is found most tften on t edbud and occasionallv on honex locust. Larvae gener allx begin to appear during the first hilt of Aigtist, and ate present into Octobet. Young larvae often feed >ide-bx-side in rowxs; older larvae tend to scatrer and feed indixviduall. The >pecies is >ometimes a >er iou> defo liatoroif or namentalI redHid. STINGING CATERPILLARS GIANT SILKWORMS - FAMILY SATURNIIDAE Among the members of this family are some of the largest and most striking and fearsome-looking of our native caterpillars. Some species spin large, thick cocoons of silk, thus the name silkworm. Many are brightly multicolored and variously armed with conspicuous "horns" and spines. Several species are equipped with urticating structures. Two species, the buck moth and ioi moth, occur in Alabama. Buck Moth Caterpillar (Hemileuca maia) All species of caterpillars l the genus Hemileuca are reported t, k hear urticating spines; only on species, the buck moth, is known t, occur in Alabama. The full-grown. caterpillar is about 2 3/8 inches Ion, The head is dark reddish-brown r black. The body is brown to grayisl black, and sprinkled liberally wit small yellowish dots. There is $41M double row of short, tannish tufts spines down the back and rows of larger, longer, bristled, red to black Buck moth caterpillars:fuu-grown larva (above), early stage larvae (below). are solid black. In Alabama, buck moth infestations are found primarily on oak. Caterpillars are usually encountered during May and the first half of June. Severity of sting ranks behind that of the puss caterpillar and is probably about equal to that of the saddleback. Welts raised on the skin may remain visible for a day to more than a week. 1o Moth Caterpillar (Automeris io) This caterpillar is a general feeder. Food plants range from grasses and herbs to foliage of some hardwood trees. Some trees reported as hosts include apple, black locust, cherry, dogwood, elm, hackberry, hickory, maple, 10 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION _ Oak, ,x timwrc, and xx illoxi Thic fill-tIrOxx ilarva is 2 1/4 2 1/2 inchc, lone and t ii I easx to i c ~niec. Thechd and bod\ arc xclloxxish en thoracic Ices~ and proles,, sir, e red. Ther e ix a broad wxhite line aloxne b y ac simila rr e " e i e d d ioshd li r n e 'lab below~ by a thinnt broken) reddish, lo moth caterpillar (Photograph provided puiple line. Raksed tubercle, by Dr. Gary Mullen, A.U. Department of each bearing a whorl ot (i cen Etmlg) bianched spines, Occur on each seginment alovm, the hick. Txxo x°enerations ptrobably occur each seasonx, wxith larvae pi exent duimn June-October.This catrtpillar is scarce in Alabama, and is~ only i aielx and (sonletimex encountel ed On foliaxle Of tirees. TUSSOCK MOTHS - FAMILY LYMANTRIIDAE Sex ci-al species Ot the tussxock moth familx aire impoirtant defolIiators oft r ees. Caterpillars Of three species arc reported to beai utitcating setae; one of thee, the xxhitemarked tussxock moth, is cotunon in Alabama. Whitemarked Tussock Moth (Orgvia leucostigmu) The caterpillar is about toll-1,roxx 1 3/ xemti11nI A inches lon,(. The head and upper suitace Ot the behind the head are ted.~ There are rxxo lon,, black "penc il" the fi r thotax; Ori tufts ot haiis On of thec similar Whitemarked tussock moth larvae on willow. seg~ment a siiudle, STINGING CATERPILLARS *.Penc il" occurs at the i e: 11 m mostly black. There is th eighth abdomuinal segmnent. The hack i an ci ect, brush-like tutt of ,hart, white or yellowish hairs on each oit the first foui abdomainal ,eg~nents, and a con~picuioin ied dot on setgments six and sev en. The sides ot the body are y~ellow, cream, ir grayis with fine %v hitish hairs at nin', trom each ement. Larv ae ot the whitemarked tussock tmoth teed on a wXide vatriety ot trees and shi Lb,. Some commoan tree hosts are apple, basswxood, cottonwxood, elm, maple, oak, sy cairie, and xX illow. Ar lcast twXo larv al broods occuri each season in our area. Ciateirpillar, ate gener allyXpresent trom eatrly April into October DAGGER MOTHS - FAMILY NOCTU IDAE contains some of the XXit na mt~ commnnt ard destrt i ne plant-feeding catrtpillars. Mlany specie, are major pc'ts ot tield cro~p;, gar dens, and pastur es (eg., arm\ spec ies commitonhy teed Un The noctnid tamtl\ and cLntXXoi m), but suo toliage of tirees. Mhst nocrtuid c ater pi llars ate relativey smiooth, and igener allh lack setae or spines. Howxeveci, MiXetal species ot dagwet w th larv ae posess c onspicunous setac Txo spec ie, ate reported to be uiiicaceous. One ot these, the smeared da er moth, occurt in Alabama. Smeared Dagger Moth (Acronicta oblinita) This catrtpillarti 2erne aI teedet. tnluhde ,inaatwxeed s.onmctime, Foo d plIani ( tb calle' laimxa is the siumi nxeed caterpillit) straw~berrX, corn, cotton , ,.. grsc loXver, and occaion ally apple, boxeldet, wxood, curton-f XXtllrnXX elm, oak, and and Full-grown larva of the smeared dagger moth. CottonwXood wXillowX seem to be the preferred ti ee hosts in out nret. The tull-gron i catrtpillar is 1 5/5 to 2 inches~ lo ne. The bodiX t 12 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION h sid anmd bash~ilix black wxith a broad, briht xcllaxx, birokeni line ,lll- ic a douible spines>. irxw at yelloxw spots dowxn the hack. Thiere are i oxx atf black tuibercles (oic may be red) train wxhich arise numcirus xcNisxih to browxn hist~lx Txx larx al brooid, maxyiocur and late suriic cason; spi ng and caily summer, and tall. In Lee Coutnty' the catcirpillar is inwxt often tfoind on its tree hosts in Scptcimbei and Octrober. TENT CATERPILLARS - FAMILY LASIOCAMPIDAE est knowxn as imporitint dcfoliatrs of The tent catrpillars air c torest and shade trees. Txo species, castcrn tent cateipillar and forest tent catripillar (gecnus Maacooa ) arc coxmmon in Al abamia. Lairvac ofsm I~raips xx ithin the tamily are repoirted to causc wxith in ticaiting sctac. iri itatian wxhen halndlCd, appaicntlx trom cantact Howevce'r, the pirinc ipal "sting~ing" agecnt aisociatcd wxith the two Alabama species, and ather mcmbcis aftrhe gcnus, is a >tibstancc prodticcd bx pupating catcirpillars. Pripaiton occutrs in a wxhitc ta xyclloxxish silk cocoon. Durii ng coicaon constirictian, catcirpillai, >nxcai thc >ti uctu- W a thick, xwhite to xyclloxwish xith flnid. SuLilueinrlx tis diic and becoames a tinc poxwdci xxhich, it cocoons (See photo an pawc 13) iic handled, sifts it an the skin. Conitact xwith the skin may causc an alleirgic reaction that appcars as rcddcn ing and itching o thecoantic t iica. This icaction seems to acctir anlx among illcirgx suttcier cia individual> wxith xvcry ,cnsitixecskin. Eastern Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma americanum ) grax ishxxhitc tent> oirx commolnnly >ccn in xwild chc I° re>s each >piring. Wild chcti is the priinaix host, but lai x ac teed ilso on apple, cnulbapple, peach, and pcai The trill- Eastern tent caterpillar. STINGING CATERPILLARS ',rows caterpillar is abotit taw inch-es long. The head is bhick; the back is mostly black and the sides, bluish. There is a continuoix light line dowxn the midline ot the back, bordered on each side by reddish-brown lines. Caterpillars are present in Maich and April. Forest Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria) The forest tent pillar althougha classified a tent caterpilla, does not mnake tent. Larvae teed on to liage ot vairiety ot trees, but the primi hosts in Alabama the oaks. The are xxat oet~u tupelo, blackgum, sxxeetgumn, ai. full-groxx i oepiu caterpillar is about two inches long. The head is blue, mottled wxith black. The body is blue to bluixh black. The primary identify ing characteristic tor rhe caterpillar is a roxw of wxhitish diamond- or key hole -xhaped spots dowxn the midline of the back. Larv ae are generally present in Apil and May. Both spec ies conut the end ot the larv al perio (right) aie spindly shaped and 3/4 to 1 1/4 inch." Cocoons long. They are uxually found in senmi-protected xittiations such a ciev ices ot bark ot trees, tindci leav es and other objects on tixe ground, somerimes in folded leavesx, anid ciiicks oi ciev ices in wxalls ot nearby buildingx,. iii w. cocoon. ine Lu~piLIa Typicus tentuLae powder from cocoons may irritate the skin of susceptible individuals. ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION SMOKY MOTHS - FAMILY ZYGAENIDAE claifititon, SmnokN maths, by arc closely related to the flannel moths. Three species aire repotred (there may- he more) to occur in the sotheaster n United States. Oane spec ies poseses stining capabilties. Laurelcherry Smoky Moth Speciftc identity- ot this cate fila es.taished. lvi ror Net rN bcx. Lain elchet is. it ptrimary, per haps onhly, host. TI full-gtaxrn larva is abouit 1/2 inc 1 long. The hack roa\\o iack wxith i at .ii 1 l cigate xvhite '.p ,>: along the midline, hordered bN towx of larer wNhit, '.eetentaiI bars. that formi broken double Caterpillar of the "Laurelcherry smoky mt" and beat s.mall tufts at s.hort s.etae. The pic tured tit linc. NNras The s.ides. ate pile collected in Nyellow\, Cater pillat is. ma'st conann in late '.rimmet and till; the '.pec imen Lee (CountN during the NN elt. w xeek ot Oictoher. Netling miN develop howiev er, s.mll reddis.h at paints. at Contact and lemiain vi'.ihle tar a fewx hour. proaduced is. mild and s.hort-lived; PROMINENTS AND) DATANAS NOTODONTIDAE - FAMILY The noto dontid famlN contiins. a large nuituber at sonmc at our mnost catertpillirs. tound on foliagee of broadleift rees. Some ite so litary teeders., oei teed a'. clonies.. Sa)me s.pecites itre clothed xx numterous lone ith hirs; sotme hear cons.ptcuous' horn-like s.pines;, sme are ess'entially hare, xx it hout Ci'ptCUiari' hairs. or s.pines.. As far ais knownn, thes.e catrtpillirs are nat equipped xxith hoillowN, paoison-beaing setae or spine'. typical it ttue cominon iiiticaiting s.pecies.. a '.pec ilized eland trom which a chemical s.pray containing tatimic ai d can he ejected. The gland is RoNvex er, s.everal s.pecies. poss'ess' STINGING CATERPILLARS located on the en1 tirta rae of the tirst thoracic segmnent just behind the head. This is apparently a defensiv e mechanism tor protecting caterpillars from pr edators and par asites. The spray from one species, the var iable oakleaf caterpillar, is reported to blister 01 severely irritate human skin. Variable Oakleaf Caterpillar (Lochmaeus manteo) The tiull- gto\ caterpillar is approximatck\ 1 1/2 inches long. TIh7 head is greenish wxith x'eirtic al black stripe01 each side, bordered on the stripe. The base color o the body is green. There i> variaoie oaklea f caterpillar. An acidic spray a narrowx yellowisjh, cream, released by larvae may irritate or blister skin. or wvhite line dowxn the midline ot the hack, and wxider cream or white lines along the edges of the back. Coloration of this hack area is highly v ariable (thus the common name), and ranzes from green to reddish brown wxith gradations between. The caterpillar is miost commiionily found onx vairious oaks, but also occrs on basswXood, biich, boxelder, elm, and a fewx other hardwxoods. Theie are twxo larv al broods each season in Alabama, May-Jtine and maid-August to mid-October. NYMPHALID BUTTERFLIES - FAMILY NYMPHALIDAE Reterenc e to hbutterfties general ly bri ngs to m inrd the large and colortul adults seen active during the day. Hoxxev er, larvae of butterflies, like those of most lepidopterans, are plant teeders and seveiral species feed on toliage of trees. Sev eral species of ny mphalid larvae beai conspicuious bristled or multi-branched spines similai to those found on some stinging caterpillars. One species, the spiny elm cateipillar (larv a ot the meourning cloak butterfly ), is reported to possess uiiticairing spines. 16 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION Spiny Elm Caterpillar (Nymphalis antiopa) The ll roxxn cater-/ inerouis wxhite flec ks and a i lxx oft ied spots~ down\i the bak prolei.s are red. Larv ae teed o folliag~e ot clin, cottonwood, hackbeix, and wxilloxw. In our area, it is most often tound on elln and xvilw. 11n I e Con} cl~l\ aterillr - caterpillar; the cloak butterfly. mourning Spiny elm biroodk larva of the usuially seen in Apil and Nlim howxexver, a sec~ond I xrvae possiblx piresent again in .All iit-Sepremiiihe. max occNur, wxith DANGEROUS-LOOKING, BUT HARMLESS CATERPILLARS TxU of the ilii rest and mostl triOhrening-Lloking -non-stineicr found on Alabama trees are the hickory horned devil and imperial caterpillar (see pholtos pa,,e 17). The hickory horned dev il is the larv a oft the ieigil mioth (Citlhcoia rcgalis - atxiiniidae). The full-giowxn lirxva is 4 to 5 inches long. It is a sol itor f~ eeder on pecan, hickory', wxalnut, butternut, sycxamoIre, ash, and swxectguom. The caterpillar is normally present fromt Jul' through11 Septemiber. The imperial caterpillar (EaeleS Ci orilix irurniidae) is the iiirva ot the impeiali moth. The tull-growxn cater pillar is 3 to 4 inches The lirxva in two co ~lor tlrins, ,reen (pictured) and reddish browxn. a sol itary teeder and is found on a xvariety oft rees, both coniters and lhirdwxoods. Somie comnmon hosts are pine, baldcypires, basswxood, elm, lolng, and appeari is maple, oak, hickory , sxxeetlgium, and sycamrie. Txxo hiroods likely occuri each STINGING CATERPILLARS ca.The caterpillar may reet in 17 be early sumer hut is , \N uut $Yk -The adSeptember. - Hickory horned devil hI Vpn .anisota stigmoa m ok, prticulrly spiny~ oakwormi Saturniidae) ires coimmon alnd abundant oe Giown rnamental and shade regal moth. res. The full-growxn larv a is 1 3/-4 to 2 1/2 inches long, and D ears a pair of long, in'Lrous-looking r : "41 ,~ N but harm- V spines on the thorax. l iung larvae feed in grouips; Ili 111,1 a i larvae tend to scatter feed singix. The is geneirally most in August, Septemctober. The spiny1 i I uepillar coiunon ,A b(er and kxvourn is representative of a small gopof similarly1 Imperi cater pillar; harmless. ominous-looking, but "horned" caterpillars; the two Io<, the Three - urved spnsbehind head other (inset) species are aie characteristic of the group. common: / pinkstriped oakrio. ~ xworm, orangestriped oakwxorm, and (,ieenv triped maples ............. Spiny oakworm. 18 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION Viall\ decr Iibes ch of 1hest and denotes its primairy hos~t. Hornwor0ms (pho tos I hll pic'e) ar e lii \ ic of sphinx moths, somietimes ca[cd hnmvk rher large citerpillol s, 2 J inche loe cng. Boikles aie _ Ie all\ sIlX)0th, spine except tor but hec haractcristic sharp, I ~i inless, or "horn~ iri 'ii' froim the top of the Hornworms: Upper - catalpa sphinx (catawba worm): lower - waved sphinx. 'ex eral species ot hor~ nrm teed on toliage of trees. Two \malples are catalpa sphinx txvb Ir IWlt111', wIXormo), C Trn mimi (upper photo) on IMIIa, and wxavecd :craoonhm sphinx, undiO! sm (lowerc photo) on h i The sycamore tussock imoth x y ycamore Cuso mo (I lah1 xlotul [harris0 .\lctiidie), fall wxebworm A rcti iime), iire (HT-Ixlman ttri Ilicci lteE~enin ,Id wxalnut caterpillar (Datana -11 Notodontldae) 'Ol0cd exam1ples A no-t t2n-2 "hir%" caterpillir i ,if frelImently totind on trees. The sycamore tussock omoth lrvi (photo this pmgeC) feeds on leax es ot sycmnmore and London plmne trees. The toll-growni cateipillar is 1 to 1 1/8 inches Ion"'. It is generally present tronn carly Jone througch Secptenmhei. The fall wx bwxorm is responible for the silken " eh sec'n sorr minding leax e, of pcanI, persilmmon, Wxillow,~x)Ae'un~l, cater pillr basien Inillihclr, and sev'eral other trees. Webs and to appeair in spi ng hut are most abuindont in lite suimmerc STINGING CATERPILLARS nd fall. The " s? 4 _terpillar i~nclhes is about tall-irowvn I 1/4 walnut Iong. The EMML - aterpillar is 1 3/4 to 2 1/4 ilhes ion' xxhen tulix Larvae L teed gioxvn. in groups on alnut, 11iae ot pecan, xx iikr, and butternut. There reto broods each year, wxith ,irerillars present in MayJtu and again in July-Augusmt. The menac ing, Upimght pose Fall webworm. pictured belowx in the photo isnot that ot a caterp illar prpaingm to "stirike", but rather is the txypical stmice asLimed by this and othei D~atana caterpillars xxheni dikt~rli 1or 1larmed. Walnut caterpillars;caterpillars at right are in the typical alarm pose characteristic of Datana caterpillars. RI l )t disturibance, Luih in, that exhibited bx I tana lariame , not uncommon. Seveiral species of cater pillars respond in vaiou wt~ to noise xays or motion; som~e, in 'o Join" max titili~e unique speciali~ed sttc ttites. Response to disturbance is commonly associated wxith defense against predators or paiasites. WXhatev er the purpose, action taken often appeais ominous and thireatening. Twxo siich examples tolloxx. In one grioup ot notodoritid caterpilIlairs, prole(,, on the last abdominal se(,mcnt are long and toirm tail-like str uctures called stemapods (uppei Photo on parc 20). In some spec ies, these are extensible and, wxhen the caterpillais distribed, are extended and wxaxed about in a threatening (loxwer photo onpaxe 20). The cateirpillari picttired at the top on page 2 is the larxva ot the black-etched prominent, U crura scitiscipta; tie lox ci mxannei 20 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION photo is the Ian a I the gray, H furcula, Furicuila cierca. Both teed on Cottonw\ood 0c anid willowx andi in u-4iill\ fouind ealI late summer uII tll. fa The "big-ey ed" specimen head" and colorful mth swxollenx he harmless larv a of the common r « c ,picebush swalilowxtail butterfly -in PapilIionidie. \ Kipilio rrili The "e~aire mnerelx spots on the thorax. The tforked tongue" ,peetaised struc ture cai~iton papilionod to fl Black-etched prominent caterpillar (upper) showing sternapods when at rest; larva of the gray furcula (lower) with sternapods extended. ittel iullii . It is inmally concealed in the first segmenlt of the thorax, but is wxhen the larva is e'xtenlded touched or disttrbed. The fullis comimonly 0n oxx citelpi lii (belowx, right) is 1 3/4 to 2 inches lone. It fiound on spicehtnh. sn's~itras, and y ellow-polar. Neithei the stemxapods of notodontids nou osnietei ia ot ,,w illowxtais tie knowxn to he harmtUl to huins; howxev er, osmetrini, 11\Cx t i nut~t ix wxhen extended, Ir '4 L.w Spicebush swallowtail butterfly larvae; left extended; right - fully grown larva at rest. - _6h disturbed larvae with osmeterium STINGING STINGING CATRPILLARS CATERPILLARS 21 2 CAUTION Discovery that some caterpillars possess "stinging" structures should not give rise to undue fear of caterpillars. The number of species with stinging capabilities is small. Most of these, including those referred to as common, are seldom numerous; consequently, encounters with stinging caterpillars are not every-day occurrences. For most people, the sting produced by most species, while sometimes painful, is generally minor, mild, and short-lived but, in some cases, evidence of contact may remain visible on the skin for a few days. However, the severity of sting or other reaction depends on the species of caterpillar, degree of contact, and susceptibility of the individual. Allergy sufferers and individuals with sensitive skin should regard stinging caterpillars with caution. Among the caterpillars reviewed, the saddleback, buck moth caterpillar, and puss caterpillar are considered our most serious stingers. And among these, the puss caterpillar produces the most severe reaction (See description under the species). Treatment of sting areas with ice packs or ammonia may give some relief from pain. However, for severe reactions, victims should promptly seek medical attention. SELECTED REFERENCES Frazier, C. A. and F. K. Brown. 1980. Insects and allergy and what to do about them. University of Oklahoma Press. Norman, Oklahoma. Matheson, Robert. 1950. Medical Entomology. Comstock Publishing Company, Inc. Ithaca, New York. Stehr, F. W. 1987. Immature Insects. Kendall/Hunt Publishing. Dubuque, Iowa. USDA Forestry Service (Drooz, A.T., ed.). 1985. Insects of Eastern Forests. Misc. Publ. 1426. Alabamia's Agricultural 1,xperiiiient Station Sy stem AUBURN UNIVERSITY AE- _ "N ' I N-I ACKSON th an miricn Itua reseairch tillit in ecx y m~ajor soil area. \ Autrn Unix ersity W rnE- 1 Vr A-- ;,.. 3 NT AN LI 2 crop, lix estock, tflrestr\,5EFRO and horn nt oltral prod ucers in each reLeton in Al~aama. Exver \ ELEEA CEUN citizen oft the GENE HALE6 reseaich program, since atnx adx antauce tirom tnexw xA\ uci n gand1 r od hatndling fartm products directlx henetits the Coixnsuing2 pnblic. 9 mARANG 11 10 a so p f 3 - 2 WSIGO 5 :R1 Research Unit Identification *Main *E. V. Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn. Smith Research Center, Shorter. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. Black Belt Substation, Marion Junction. The Turnipseed-Ikenoerry Place. Union Springs. Lower Coastal Flain Substation, Camden. Forestry Unit, Barbour County. Monroeville Experimeet Field. Monroeville. Wiregrass Substation, Headland. Brewton Experiment Field. Brewton. Ornamental Horticulture Substation. Spring Hill. Gulf Coast Substation. Fairhope. Tennessee Valley Substation, Belle Mica. Sand Mountain Substation. Crossville. North Alabama Horticulture Substation. Culiman. Upper Coastal Plain Substation. Winfield. Forestry Unit. Fayette County. Chiltori Area Horticultu~re Substation. Clanton. Forestry Unit, Coosa County. Piedmont Substatior. Camp Hill Foresty Unit. Autauga County. Prattville Experiment Field, Prattville.