Orthosia sp.? Lithophane sp.?

Feeding on leaves and flower buds of Rumex patientia.

comments (5)

Christine Young

Lion

These green ones can be quite the challenge to ID, for me at least. The instars can vary, especially the penultimate in some species. Psaphida sp. may also be a possibility, but I only know them to feed on oak...Or, maybe Orthosia hibisci? Those are pretty speckled and have white spiracles lined in black. Not sure what its host is though.

Posted 6 years ago
1. Gary B
  
  Lion
  
  Orthosia hibisci feed on deciduous hardwood shrubs according to what I've read. It looks like most members of the genus feed on shrubs except for one that lives in Europe. I think I may have seen the Orthosia hibisci moth here but I'll need to go over photos when the summer slows down. Other possibilities are Lithophane antennata and Achatia distincta but the only problem with them is that they feed on deciduous hardwood trees and shrubs. Maybe this none wanted a change of pace or maybe the tannin content of the Rumex was similar to what it would normally get from tree leaves. In any event, it appears this caterpillar did not start out its life on the Rumex as very few leaves are eaten and none of the other Rumex plants show any sign of being eaten either. Posted 6 years ago
2. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    Good observation about not not many leaves being eaten on the Rumex. It could be as you suspect and it moved to that plant for some reason. I would expect the stripe on Lithophane antennata to be thicker, no? Achatia distincta looks close with the weak side stripe and lots of speckling. But, as you said, the host plants aren't a match with those two species. Although, many species aren't that well studied and their list of hosts may only include plants that the caterpillars were seen feeding on or else were fed in a lab.
    
    Lithophane baileyi may also be a contender? I think they are generalists, from what I read.
    
    Posted 6 years ago
  2. 1. Gary B
      
      Lion
      
      I'll give all this consideration when I get back home. Not going to be near the internet for a little. Time to walk in the swamps again for a week. Posted 6 years ago
    2. 1. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Oh, wow! Have fun and try not to feed any blackflies! Posted 6 years ago

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