"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
Milkweed Tussock Moth
Euchaetes egle fam. Erebidae (Hodges#8238)
Host plant(s): Found on dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum)
Date(s) and location(s): 30 August, 2025 – Tyson Research Center, St. Louis County, MO
Skiff Moth
Prolimacodes badia fam. Limacodidae (Hodges#4671)
Host plant(s): Found on chinquapin oak (Quercus muehlenbergii)
Date(s) and location(s): 31 August, 2025 – Tyson Research Center, St. Louis County, MO
Notes: This poor cat is host to a tachinid fly larvae. A closeup image is included showing the egg as well as the larvae that has pierced the skin of the caterpillar in order to breath.
Oblique Heterocampa
Heterocampa obliqua fam. Notodontidae (Hodges#7983)
Host plant(s): Found on chinquapin oak (Quercus muehlenbergii)
Date(s) and location(s): 13 September, 2025 – Tyson Research Center, St. Louis County, MO
Notes: An oak specialist.
Crowned Slug Moth
Isa textula fam. Limacodidae (Hodges#4681)
Host plant(s): Found on sassafras, northern red oak, redbud
Date(s) and location(s): 31 August, 19-September, 2025 – Tyson Research Center, St. Louis County, MO; 27 September, 2025 – Caney Mountain Conservation Area, Ozark County, MO
Notes: By far the most numerous Limacodid I found in 2025.
Wavy-lined Prominent
Cecrita biundata fam. Notodontidae (Hodges#7995)
Host plant(s): not recorded
Date(s) and location(s): 30 August, 2025 – Tyson Research Center, St. Louis County, MO
Notes: Click here to view adult of this species
Giant Leopard Moth
Hypercompe scribonia fam. Erebidae (Hodges#8146)
Host plant(s): younger instar – white vervain (Verbena urticifolia); final instar – wandering
Date(s) and location(s): 30 August, 2025 – Tyson Research Center, St. Louis County, MO; 27 September, 2025 – Caney Mountain Conservation Area, Ozark County, MO
Notes: This spiney species contains no venom. Other than some minor prickling, these can be handled without worry. This is a highly polyphagous species, feeding on several families of woody plants and forbs. Caterpillars of this species overwinter and will pupate the following spring.
Spicebush Swallowtail
Papilio troilus fam. Papilinoidae (Hodges#4181)
Host plant(s): Found on sassafras (Sassafras albidum) and spicebush (Lindera benzoin)
Date(s) and location(s): 26 July, 2024 – Engelmann Woods Natural Area, Franklin County, MO; Tyson Research Center, St. Louis County, MO
Notes: This species and other, more rare species of swallowtails may be facing problems in the future with the introduction of laurel wilt, caused by the fungus Raffaelea lauricola, which is vectored by the redbay ambrosia beetle (RAB), Xyleborus glabratus. These nonnative species were first discovered in the southeastern U.S. in 2002. Since then this disease and its vectoring insect have been documented in 11 southeastern states and have killed millions of plants in the laurel family, which include sassafras and spicebush. Laurel wilt has not yet been reported in Missouri, but has been confirmed in the neighboring states of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Arkansas. Winter temperatures could perhaps keep this disease from spreading north into Missouri, but warmer winters associated with climate change are not promising.
Hickory Horned Devil
Citheronia regalis fam. Saturniidae (Hodges#7706)
Host plant(s): Found on black walnut (Juglans nigra)
Date(s) and location(s): 07 Sep, 2025 – Tyson Research Center, St. Louis County, MO
Notes: Another longtime target species that I was able to find this year, this penultimate instar of this fantastic creature was located on the single reachable branch of a large black walnut. The adults of this species are known as royal walnut moths and regal moths.
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.
Connected Dagger Moth
Acronicta connecta fam. Noctuidae (Hodges#9219)
Host plant(s): willow (Salix sp.)
Date(s) and location(s): 31 Aug, 2025 – Tyson Research Center, St. Louis County, MO
Notes: A specialist on willows
A Thousand Acres of Silphiums 
