More lessons from the forest trails
Apr 20, 2019 07:08:51 #
One impulse from the vernal woods, to briefly quote Wordsworth.
As was described recently, it is profitable to just walk very slowly along woodland trails that are lined with deciduous trees (oak, hickory, etc.), and to inspect every leaf, top and bottom. This approach makes it more likely one will see critters that would not be noticed; most being common, but I have seen many new species this way.
First up is another hickory tussock caterpillar (Lophocampa caryae). These are rather common, but there are interesting variations in their appearance.
Next are two very cool caterpillars that are new to me. The green one is the larva of one of the prominent moths. This is Heterocampa obliqua. Larvae of many species in this group have distinctly elongated anal pro-legs (the fleshy leg-thingies in the rear), and this changes their profile and adds to their ‘I’m a leaf’ camouflage.
The other caterpillar is definitely special. This is the larva of the funerary dagger moth (Acronicta funeralis), and the pictures don’t do it justice. The skin had this blue sheen, which you can see, but what does not come across is that the yellow markings were metallic gold. Metallic colors sometimes do not record well with a camera flash (as is the case for those metallic tortoise beetles, and those darn ebony jewelwing damselflies). This species is described as being uncommon, so I am very happy to have found it.
Finally, a small moth that I could have found just by looking at tree trunks. This is the small white lichen moth (Clemensia albata). It is not a good memory to think back to the amount of time spent trying to identify this insect. It looks like it belongs in the family Noctuidae (a huge family), but exhaustive surveys in BG turned up nothing. Quite by accident I stumbled across it in a different family (Eribidae). There have been revisions, you see, and a bunch of Noctuids had been carted away to a different family but of course I don’t get the memo on such things.
As was described recently, it is profitable to just walk very slowly along woodland trails that are lined with deciduous trees (oak, hickory, etc.), and to inspect every leaf, top and bottom. This approach makes it more likely one will see critters that would not be noticed; most being common, but I have seen many new species this way.
First up is another hickory tussock caterpillar (Lophocampa caryae). These are rather common, but there are interesting variations in their appearance.
Next are two very cool caterpillars that are new to me. The green one is the larva of one of the prominent moths. This is Heterocampa obliqua. Larvae of many species in this group have distinctly elongated anal pro-legs (the fleshy leg-thingies in the rear), and this changes their profile and adds to their ‘I’m a leaf’ camouflage.
The other caterpillar is definitely special. This is the larva of the funerary dagger moth (Acronicta funeralis), and the pictures don’t do it justice. The skin had this blue sheen, which you can see, but what does not come across is that the yellow markings were metallic gold. Metallic colors sometimes do not record well with a camera flash (as is the case for those metallic tortoise beetles, and those darn ebony jewelwing damselflies). This species is described as being uncommon, so I am very happy to have found it.
Finally, a small moth that I could have found just by looking at tree trunks. This is the small white lichen moth (Clemensia albata). It is not a good memory to think back to the amount of time spent trying to identify this insect. It looks like it belongs in the family Noctuidae (a huge family), but exhaustive surveys in BG turned up nothing. Quite by accident I stumbled across it in a different family (Eribidae). There have been revisions, you see, and a bunch of Noctuids had been carted away to a different family but of course I don’t get the memo on such things.
Hickory tussock cat
(Download)
Prominent moth cat
(Download)
Funerary dagger moth cat
(Download)
(Download)
small lichen moth
(Download)
Apr 20, 2019 07:14:22 #
Apr 20, 2019 07:47:56 #
Great photos! You are right - a lot goes on that we just don't see if we walk by!
Apr 20, 2019 10:12:50 #
Apr 20, 2019 11:04:51 #
Apr 21, 2019 07:11:11 #
Yes, the results of walking slowly and looking at everything pay off, nice images. I like the Dagger moth, funeral horses wear a similar headdress.
Apr 21, 2019 07:49:00 #
Apr 21, 2019 08:08:34 #
Fantastic!! I miss the abundance of insects we had around here when I was a kid.
Apr 21, 2019 09:28:42 #
Great set Mark. I'm glad you saw these on your walk so you could share them with us on this forum. Outstanding shots.
-Doc
-Doc
Apr 21, 2019 09:29:38 #
Mark, these are superb images and the Funerary Dagger Moth cat is a real show-stopper.
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