Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Hypercompe scribonia (
Stoll)
Orig. Comb: Phalaena scribonia Stoll 1790
Syn: Ecpantheria scribonia (Stoll)
Numbers
one of seven species in this genus in North America
Identification
Late instar caterpillar mostly black with tufts of stiff black hairs of equal length radiating around body. Rolls up head to tail when disturbed. When curled, red intersegmental rings visible between the hairs. Spiracles orange or red. Early instar also has hairy tufts, but body colored dark brown and orange.
Adult white with black spots. Many spots are hollow rings. Hindwing with black shading along inner margin, and black terminal spots near apex.
Adult abdomen beautifully marked with blue and orange below, but color not visible at rest.
Range
e US (TX-FL-ME-MN) / ON / W. Indies -
Map - MPG
Food
larvae feed on a great variety of broad-leaved plants, including banana, cabbage, cherry, dandelion, maple, orange, sunflower, violet, willow
Life Cycle
Overwinters as a caterpillar (
Caterpillars of Eastern Forests(2) says it overwinters August to May - presumably this varies by location). One generation per year in the north; sometimes two generations in the south.
eggs; early instar larva; larva; larva; larva head; pupa; adult
Remarks
Unlike some hairy caterpillars, will not sting if handled. Its defense is to stay rolled up until left alone.
Yellowish droplets of liquid are sometimes emitted from the adults when threatened or handled, as a chemical defense against predators.
See Also
Hypercompe caudata (pinned adult at Moth Photographers Group)
Leopard Moth (
Zeuzera pyrina) forewing has smaller spots, and none are hollow rings.
The western
Hypercompe permaculata is similar but its black spots are more rectangular, and its range apparently does not overlap with
H. scribonia.
Print References
Covell, p. 68, plate 16-13
(3)
Internet References
live larva images plus common name references [Giant Leopard Moth, Eyed Tiger Moth] (Emily Earp and Josh Hillman, floridanature.org)
information on rearing plus description, habits, biology, life cycle (Bill Oehlke, silkmoths.bizland.com)
synonyms plus common name reference [Eyed Tiger Moth], links, distribution, references (Markku Savela, FUNET)
classification -
Ecpantheria treated as a junior synonym of
Hypercompe (Brian Pitkin, Butterflies and Moths of the World)
Heuristron. Images of adults, caterpillars and pupae.
Hilton Pond. Images of adults, caterpillars and pupae.
