Page 300 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Limacodidae
DISTRIBUTION North America, from southern Canada to Florida,
west to Missouri
HABITAT Deciduous woodlands and forests
HOST PLANTS Oak (Quercus spp.) and beech (Fagus spp.)
NOTE Covert slug caterpillar that is rarely seen
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated

ADULT WINGSPAN
¾–1 ⁄ in (19–30 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
Up to ¾ in (20 mm)
APODA BIGUTTATA
SHAGREENED SLUG
298
(PACKARD, 1864)

The Shagreened Slug Moth caterpillar gets its common
name from the coarse, “shagreen leather” texture of its skin
and its Limacodidae family resemblance to slugs. First instar
caterpillars are non-feeding, but later instars can be found by
searching the underside of leaves of their favorite host tree, the
White Oak (Quercus alba). The larvae prefer to feed on leaves
growing among the low-lying branches of young oaks rather
than those of more mature trees. In the south of the caterpillar’s
range, multiple generations are possible from May onward.
In the northern range, a single generation occurs between July
and early September. Adult moths typically fly from March
throughout the summer months.

The Shagreened Slug is similar in appearance to the more
common Yellow-shouldered Slug (Lithacodes fasciola) but sports
a distinguishing pair of “racing stripes” along the subdorsal area.
Avid caterpillar hunters consider Apoda biguttata a welcome
nd, as the larvae are fairly uncommon within their range.

Actual size The Shagreened Slug caterpillar is oval shaped
and slightly elongated with a short, squared-o
tail section. The overall body color can be light
green or blue green. Two broad, white or
cream-colored stripes traverse the entire dorsal
length, bordered along the inside by thin, black
lines. The larva’s coarse, leathery skin is free of
spines, unlike many other Limacodidae species.