Page 72 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

BUTTERFLY CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Hesperiidae
DISTRIBUTION Southern United States to Brazil, extending north seasonally
HABITAT Pastures, prairies, gardens, lawns, parks, and roadsides
HOST PLANTS Grasses, including meadow grass (Poa spp.), fescue (Festuca spp.),
and Bermuda Grass (Cynodon dactylon)
NOTE Common lawn-feeding caterpillar now heading north
with climate warming
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but common

ADULT WINGSPAN

1⁄–1⅜ in (30–35 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
1⅛–1⁄ in (28–30 mm)
ATALOPEDES CAMPESTRIS
SACHEM
70
(BOISDUVAL, 1852)

The Sachem caterpillar silks grass blades together to make
shelters that become more complex with each successive
instar. First instars simply weave a few silken strands into a

vague “nest,” whereas prepupal fifth instars construct untidy
but tightly woven, silk-lined shelter tubes. Pupation occurs on
the ground within a silk cocoon lined with woollike material
produced by ventral abdominal glands. Defense is based on
concealment, although small predators, such as pirate bugs
(Anthocoridae), can find their way into shelters and kill larvae.

There are two to three broods a year with successive generations
increasingly abundant.

Originally a subtropical species, Atalopedes campestris is
extending its range in North America, apparently heading

The Sachem caterpillar is olive brown or gray farther north as the climate warms. Despite the lack of a defined
with coalescing tiny, black spots and setae. Each winter diapause stage, the caterpillars appear able to survive
segment has ve transverse folds posteriorly, and

there is a distinct, dark brown, middorsal stripe. very low temperatures. Adults—among the skipper butterflies,
The head and collar are shiny black, the collar

with an anterior white margin. named for their darting flight—are commonly seen in backyards

visiting flowers, including marigolds, asters, and buddleia.

Actual size