Page 545 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Erebidae
DISTRIBUTION North America, from southeastern Canada to northern Georgia,
west to Texas
HABITAT Mountainous woodlands and mesic forests
HOST PLANTS Meadow-rue (Thalictrum spp.)

NOTE Caterpillar that mimics saw y larvae
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated

ADULT WINGSPAN
1 ⁄ –1 ⁄ in (33–40 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
1⅜ in (35 mm)

CALYPTRA CANADENSIS
CANADIAN OWLET 543
(BETHUNE, 1865)

The Canadian Owlet caterpillar feeds speci cally on Thalictrum

plants. The larvae are most commonly spotted in damp
woodlands at higher elevations, in terrain where their host
plant grows. A single generation is typical within its normal
range, with two generations possible farther west. In the eastern
United States, mature caterpillars can be found from early July
throughout the summer. The pupae overwinter. The adult
moths are fruit piercers (subfamily Calpinae) and are attracted to
light. They y from June to September. Some moths reportedly

stray to the south and west of the species’ general range.
The Canadian Owlet caterpillar is yellow and
In habit and coloration, the Canadian Owlet caterpillar has a white with intermittent black markings along its
length. Its yellow head has black spots on either

propensity to imitate saw y larvae (Hymenoptera), both in habit side. The four prolegs range in color from yellow
and coloration. Despite having a full set of usable prolegs, the to black, depending on age and instar. The true
legs are red or orange. Early instars are pale
caterpillar propels itself forward in a looping fashion. When yellow with a series of dark spots.
alarmed, it tucks its head under its body—another saw y-like

trait. However, the caterpillar can be easily di erentiated from
a similarly patterned saw y larva by counting the prolegs. It has

four, while saw ies always have six or more.

Actual size