Category: Lepidoptera

Swamp Metalmark – Calephelis muticum

insects, Lepidoptera, macro, wildlife, wildlife photography
Swamp Metalmark – 234 mm focal length equivalent, f/14, 1/125 sec., ISO-640

These special butterflies, endangered or threatened across much of their small range, have their stronghold in the state of Missouri. These images were taken in St. Francis Co., MO.

Swamp Metalmark – 234 mm focal length equivalent, f/14, 1/80 sec., ISO-640
Swamp Metalmark – 234 mm focal length equivalent, f/18, 1/60 sec., ISO-640
Swamp Metalmark – 234 mm focal length equivalent, f/18, 1/60 sec., ISO-640
Swamp Metalmark – 234 mm focal length equivalent, f/18, 1/80 sec., ISO-640

Meet the Slugs – Red-crossed Button Slug

insects, Lepidoptera, macro, wildlife, wildlife photography
Red-crossed Button Slug - Limacodidae - Tortricidia-pallida (4653), Millstream Gardens Conservation Area, MO
Red-crossed Button Slug – Limacodidae – Tortricidia-pallida (4653), Millstream Gardens Conservation Area, MO

The next slug to make your acquaintance is the Red-crossed Button Slug.  This species is quite similar to one or two others as both larvae and adult, but given that most lists I have seen from Missouri list this one and not the others, I am pretty confident in this ID.  This species lacks the stinging, protective hairs, going instead with a more camouflage approach of looking like a bit of leaf blight as it passes over leaves of oaks, hickories and quite a few other known woody, deciduous host plants.

red-crossed-button-slug-limacodidae-tortricidia-pallida-4653-img_8265
On a trail of silk – Red-crossed Button Slug – Limacodidae – Tortricidia-pallida (4653), Hickory Canyon Natural Area

The image above gives a glimpse into how the slugs get around – on a substance described as liquid silk.  See the winding trails?

red-crossed-button-slug-limacodidae-tortricidia-pallida-4653-img_8305
Even their frass is distinctive – Red-crossed Button Slug – Limacodidae – Tortricidia-pallida (4653), Hickory Canyon Natural Area

Here I caught one in the act.  From what I’ve read, slugs leave distinctively shaped (indented) frass that is different from that of other caterpillars.  I didn’t pause long enough to investigate.

red-crossed-button-slug-limacodidae-tortricidia-pallida-4653-img_7119
The slug moth – Red-crossed Button Slug – Limacodidae – Tortricidia-pallida (4653), Hickory Canyon Natural Area

Finally, the adult slug moth is pictured above.  Slug moths are strongly attracted to lights and, from what I have read, are often some of the first species to show up when setting up a light and sheet/trap.  I have a theory that this may be why I find many less slug caterpillars the closer I look near St. Louis.  Although I found very similar habitats with the same composition and numbers of sapling oaks and hickories (the favored host plants), the closer I came to the city the number of slug caterpillars dropped significantly.  Perhaps the city lights are sucking in the adults before they are able to reproduce?  Probably a too simplistic idea, but it is a trend I noticed.  It could just as well be due to fragmented habitat and overall less habitat available the closer one gets to the city.

The Imperial Moth

insects, Lepidoptera, macro, wildlife, wildlife photography

Belonging to the family of moths called Saturniidae, the Imperial Moth can reach up to  six inches.  Many members of this family are large-bodied and short-lived as adults – typically living only one or two weeks and not feeding in this stage.  This female was attracted to lights during a national moth week event at Cuivre River State Park on July 31, 2016.

Imperial Moth - Saturniidae - Eacles imperialis, photographed at Cuivre River SP during national moth week.
Imperial Moth – Saturniidae – Eacles imperialis, photographed at Cuivre River SP during national moth week.