Cedar Creek Natural History Area

Insects of Cedar Creek

Order LEPIDOPTERA

Members of the Lithosiinae (Lichen Moths) are pale gray and pink moths that feed on lichens. Hypoprepia sp is occasionally encountered.  The orange and black Lycomorpha pholus also collected.

Members of the Ctenuchinae (Wasp Moths) found in CCNHA old fields are Ctenucha virginiensis (grasses, sedges, Iris) and Cisseps fulvicollis (grasses, spikerush). These slender black moths are common at Solidago blooms in late summer.

Members of the Arctiidae (Tiger Moths) routinely encountered at Cedar Creek include several species of black, white, and pink marked Grammia(=Apantesis). G. parthenice is the most common. Others collected include G. virgo, G. virguncula, G. phyllira, and G. arge. Euchaetes egle feeds on Asclepias syriaca and is sometimes common in savanna or open woods. Holomelina aurantiaca is a common small orange moth taken in most fields in mid-summer. The Banded Woolly Bear, Pyrrharctia isabella is regularly seen crossing roads in the fall. The Yellow Bear Moth, Spilosoma virginica is also quite common in fields. Halisidota tessellaris (tree foliage) is a common woodland species as is the strikingly white-and-black marked Haploa contigua? The ugly webs of the Fall Webworm, Hyphantria cunea, can be seen on many species of trees in late summer. Infrequently encountered species in this subfamily include Cycnia tenera (dogbane), Estigmena acrea, Phragmatobia fuliginosa, Ecpantheria sp and Arctia caja-americana. Most species feed on a wide diversity of low-growing herbaceous growth.