From 2024. I came across this female salticid (Paraphidippus aurantius) that had made a meal from a caterpillar of this white-marked tussock moth (Orgyia leucostigma).
A Case of Caterpillar Carnage
Category: insects
2025 Caterpillar Season – Sycamore Tussock Moth
Sycamore Tussock Moth
Halysidota harrisii fam. Erebidae (Hodges#8204)
Host plant: Found on sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)
Dates found: 23 August, 2025
Locations found: Tyson Research Center, St. Louis County, MO
Notes: A specialist that feeds solely on sycamore.
2025 Caterpillar Season – Polyphemus Moth
Polyphemus Moth
Antheraea polyphemus fam. Saturniidae (Hodges#7757)
Host plant: Found on red oak species (Quercus sp.)
Dates found: 30 August, 2025
Locations found: Tyson Research Center, St. Louis County, MO
Notes: While the caterpillars are polyphagous, feeding on a variety of woody species, adults of this moth do not feed.
2025 Caterpillar Season – Bumelia Leafworm Moth
Bumelia Leafworm Moth
Enaemia pupula fam. Lacturidae (Hodges#8011)
Host plant: Found on gum bumelia (Sideroxylon lanuginosum)
Dates found: 3 October, 2025
Locations found: Tyson Research Center, St. Louis County, MO
Notes: A specialist that feeds only on Sideroxylon species. In Missouri, it is only found on gum bumelia.
2025 Caterpillar Season – Black-blotched Prominent
Black-blotched Prominent Moth
Oedemasia leptinoides fam. Notodontidae (Hodges#8011)
Host plants: Found on hickories (Carya sp)
Dates found: 6, 27 September, 2025
Locations found: Babler State Park, St. Louis County, MO; Caney Mountain Conservation Area, Ozark County, MO
Notes: Note the seven tachinid fly eggs on the individual on left side below. Individuals infested with these endoparasitoids are doomed and will not make it to the adult stage.
2025 Caterpillar Season – Stinging Rose Caterpillar
Stinging Rose Caterpillar Moth
Parasa indetermina fam. Limacodidae (Hodges#4699)
Host plant: Found on sassafras (Sassafras albidum)
Date found: 31 August, 2025
Location found: Tyson Research Center, St. Louis County, MO
Notes: One of our larger limacodids, this species caterpillars can be up to 2.5 cm long.
2025 Caterpillar Season – American Dagger
American Dagger Moth
Acronicta americana fam. Noctuidae (Hodges#9200)
Host plant: Found on redbud (Cercis canadensis)
Date found: 31 August, 2025
Location found: Tyson Research Center, St. Louis County, MO
Notes: A highly polyphagous species recorded hosting on woody plant species in 16 families.
2025 Caterpillar Season – Walnut Sphinx
Walnut Sphinx
Amorpha juglandis fam. Sphingidae (Hodges#7827)
Host plant: Found on hickory (Carya sp.)
Date found: 6, 13, September, 2025
Location found: Babler State Park, Tyson Research Center, St. Louis County, MO
Notes: This is the only species of this genus in North America.
2025 Caterpillar Season – Double-lined Prominent
Double-lined Prominent
Lochmaeus bilineata fam. Notodontidae (Hodges#7999)
Host plant: Found on elm (Ulmus sp.)
Date found: 23, August, 2025
Location found: Tyson Research Center, St. Louis County, MO
Notes: Technically, I should label this one as Lochmaeus sp. because L. bilineata and L. manteo (variable oakleaf caterpillar) cannot be distinguished as larvae. However, host plants are a good indicator. Lochmaeus bilineata prefers elms and basswood, while L. manteo prefers oaks. It is unclear whether reports of L. bilineata from oaks are from erroneously identified L. manteo or not.
2025 Caterpillar Season – Gray-edged Hypena
Gray-edged Hypena
Hypena madefactalis fam. Erebidae (Hodges#8447)
Host plant: Found on black walnut (Juglans nigra)
Date found: 09, September, 2025
Location found: Tyson Research Center, St. Louis County, MO
Notes: A specialist on black walnut, this species has also been reared on shagbark hickory (Carya ovata).
A Thousand Acres of Silphiums 