Page 565 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Erebidae
DISTRIBUTION From England, Wales, and western Europe, including southern
Scandinavia, to Russian Far East, China, and Japan
HABITAT Woodlands, mature scrub, and hedgerows
HOST PLANTS Lichens growing on trees and bushes, including Physcia stellaris
and Xanthoria parietina
NOTE Highly cryptic, lichen-feeding caterpillar unlike other hook-tips
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated

ADULT WINGSPAN
1–1 ⁄ in (25–36 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
⅞–1 in (22–25 mm)
LASPEYRIA FLEXULA
BEAUTIFUL HOOK-TIP 563

([DENIS & SCHIFFERMÜLLER], 1775)

The Beautiful Hook-tip caterpillar hatches from a domed,
grayish egg laid singly or in small groups, either on a twig or on
the food plant. It hides among lichens by day, only coming out
to feed at night. The larvae are found particularly among lush
growths of lichen in shady places rather than in drier, more open
habitat. Caterpillars of the fall generation hibernate while still
small. The pupa is blackish brown with greenish bands between
the segments.

The moth adults y in one to three generations, depending on
climate, from May to September and somewhat resemble the
hook-tips of the family Drepanidae. However, the Laspeyria
exula caterpillar is quite unlike Drepanidae hook-tip larvae,
having normal prolegs instead of spinelike hind extensions.
It is also somewhat unusual in feeding on primitive lichens
rather than plants and is highly cryptic on its hosts, with a
lichen-like pattern and fringe of small, pale, membranous,
growths along the sides.

The Beautiful Hook-tip caterpillar is quite
slender and varies in color. Some individuals
are light gray green with a striking, irregular,
and partly diamond-shaped pattern along the
back and complex, darker green mottling. Others Actual size
are plainer, darker green, or dull, greenish gray,
with a more subtle pattern. The front two pairs
of prolegs are highly reduced in size, so the
caterpillar walks with a looping action.