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  8146 -- Giant Leopard Moth -- Hypercompe scribonia

When I found the caterpillar shown at left I placed it, along with a supply of fresh leaves, in an insect rearing container. The caterpillar made a cocoon of spun silk and then molted as it entered the pupa stage, the spent skin adhering to the pupal case. This cat did not use its hairs in making the cocoon. Before eclosure the pupal case darkened considerably. Finally, the adult shown below broke through the case to emerge. In the northern part of its range the caterpillar overwinters, there is but one generation per year. In Florida there are multiple broods and I did not have to wait long to see the adult eclose.



  References

Hypercompe scribonia species page at Moth Photographers Group




Please send suggestions and corrections to Machele White at MWhite2220@comcast.net


Links to:   Moth Photographers Group  at the  Mississippi Entomological Museum  at   Mississippi State University

MWspecies/8146.htm -- 02/16/2006