"What a thousand acres of Silphiums looked like when they tickled the bellies of the buffalo is a question never again to be answered, and perhaps not even asked." -Aldo Leopold
Asimina Webworm Moth
Clostera albosigma fam. Pyralidae (Hodges#5627)
Host plant(s): Found on pawpaw (Asimina triloba)
Date(s) and location(s): 25 Aug, 2025 – Tyson Research Center, St. Louis County, MO
Notes: This species builds leaf shelters typically found at the ends of pawpaw branches. Leaf shelters typically harbor multiple caterpillars that are attractive once removed.
Sigmoid Prominent
Clostera albosigma fam. Notodontidae (Hodges#7895)
Host plant(s): Found on willow (Salix sp.)
Date(s) and location(s): 16 Sep, 2025 – Johnson’s Shut-ins State Park, Reynolds County, MO
Notes: The first of this species’ caterpillar I have seen, Pete and I found this while doing some beating on willows. This species also hosts on poplar. The sigmoid prominent can be found over most of the U.S. and Canada, but is most concentrated in the Northeastern and upper Midwest regions. At first glance, this individual looks pretty plain, but on closer inspection the colors and patterns are downright striking. From other photos I have seen, these caterpillars are quite variable in appearance.
A Thousand Acres of Silphiums 