Page 529 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Notodontidae
DISTRIBUTION Eastern and western United States, southern Canada
HABITAT Woodlands, forests, and roadside edges
HOST PLANTS Oak (Quercus spp.), poplar (Populus spp.), willow (Salix spp.),
and other deciduous trees
NOTE Foliage-mimicking caterpillar that feeds on leaf edges
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but widespread and not threatened

ADULT WINGSPAN
1 ⁄ –1¾ in (30–45 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
1 ⁄ in (40 mm)
OLIGOCENTRIA SEMIRUFESCENS
RED-WASHED PROMINENT 527

(WALKER, 1865)

The Red-washed Prominent is often referred to as the
“rhinoceros” caterpillar for its pronounced “horn,” which
projects forward, sometimes extending beyond the head when
at rest. Early instars feed by skeletonizing leaves from the top or
bottom. The mature caterpillar, like similar prominent species,
feeds along the leaf edges. It carves out a section of leaf material,
then positions its body into the decimated cavity to create an
illusion of dying leaf material. The coloration of larvae is

variable to aid their ability to e ectively conceal themselves by
blending into adjacent foliage.

Two generations of mature caterpillars occur from June
throughout the summer and early fall. Prepupal larvae
overwinter in soil or leaf litter, and adult moths y from May to

September. The larva’s striking design is similar to two Schizura
caterpillar species (S. unicornis and S. leptinoides), but it lacks
de ning Schizura characteristics, such as dark patches behind
the head and green thoracic saddles.

The Red-washed Prominent caterpillar ranges
in coloration from brown or yellow to pink, with
intermittent dark spots extending from the
subdorsal to subventral regions. Intricate,
wormlike patterns are often present in mature Actual size
specimens. The head color typically matches
the body color, with vertical brown lines
extending from the vertex to the antennae.