Page 534 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Notodontidae
DISTRIBUTION North America, from southeastern Canada to Florida,
west to Texas
HABITAT Fields, parks, and woodland forests
HOST PLANTS Basswood (Tilia spp.), oak (Quercus spp.), beech (Fagus spp.),
blackberry (Rubus spp.), and morning glory (Ipomoeae spp.)
NOTE Caterpillar that imitates a leaf
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but considered secure within its range

ADULT WINGSPAN
1 ⁄ –1⅞ in (36–47 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
1 ⁄ in (40 mm) SCHIZURA IPOMOEAE
MORNING GLORY
PROMINENT
532
DOUBLEDAY, 1841

The Morning Glory Prominent caterpillar is a master of disguise.
Like other Schizura species, the larva carves out a section of leaf
material, then positions its body into the decimated cavity. This
behavior allows the caterpillar to hide in plain sight, appearing to
hungry birds and other predators as curled leaf material. A single
brood of larvae is common in the north. Second generations
have been documented in the south, with mature caterpillars
existing from June throughout the summer and fall months.
Schizura ipomoeae caterpillars are often found parasitized by
braconid wasp larvae.

This caterpillar’s species name is misleading as the larvae
are more often found feeding on trees and shrubs other than
morning glory. The Morning Glory Prominent caterpillar can
be easily mistaken for the similarly shaped Unicorn Caterpillar
(Schizura unicornis). Close examination of distinguishing head
and dorsal markings is the best way to di erentiate between the

two. Adult moths are nocturnal, and y from April to September.

The Morning Glory Prominent caterpillar is
light brown with wormlike patterns along the
Actual size abdomen and a contrasting green saddle on
the thoracic region. The rst and fth abdominal
segments are horned and distinctly humped.
White chevron dorsal markings and a striped
head are its most de ning characteristics.