Page 432 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Saturniidae
DISTRIBUTION North America
HABITAT Woodlands

HOST PLANTS Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) and Kentucky Co ee Tree
(Gymnociadus dioicus)

NOTE Bright green caterpillar that is di cult to spot among leaves
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated

ADULT WINGSPAN
1⅞–2⅝ in (47–67 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
2⅛ in (55 mm)
SYSSPHINX BICOLOR
HONEY LOCUST
430
(HARRIS, 1841)

Honey Locust caterpillars hatch from pale green eggs laid in
clusters on the underside of leaves of the host plants. The young
larvae are gregarious but disperse to become solitary at later
instars. They are well camouflaged, with the red-and-white
lateral lines helping to break up the body shape and provide
countershading. The larvae develop quickly and can be ready
to pupate in as little as three weeks. Pupation takes place
underground, where the pupae overwinter.

This fast-growing species, named for the caterpillar’s principal
host plant, the Honey Locust, often has three generations a year.
The adult moths y from April to September, their wing color

di ering according to the generation from which they eclose,

ranging from gray in the rst generation to yellow brown in the

The Honey Locust caterpillar is lime second, and then dark brown in the nal brood. The caterpillar
green with red-and-white lateral lines and is similar in appearance to that of the Bisected Honey Locust
speckled with tiny, white dots. There are two
pairs of red, thoracic horns and a single, Moth (Sphingicampa bisecta), also found on Honey Locust trees.
red horn on the posterior segment, as well
as several silvered horns on the abdomen.
The head is green with a yellow stripe.

Actual size