Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Cissusa spadix (Cramer, [1780])
Phalaena spadix Cramer, [1780]
Panula remigipila Guenée, 1852
Taeniocampa vegeta Morrison, 1876
* phylogenetic sequence #930864
Explanation of Names
Specific name
spadix is Greek meaning "brown."
(1)Numbers
Four
Cissusa species are found in North America north of Mexico.
(2)Size
Wingspan 3-4.1 cm (Coyle et. al, 2013).
Identification
Adult - overall forewing color varies from light to very dark.
Larva - see Coyle et. al, 2013 (fig.1c, p.83) in Print References or consult Wagner et al., 2011.
Range
Arizona to Florida and north to Ontario and Quebec. Note: All records from Arizona, southern New Mexico and western-southwestern Texas most likely are of an
undescribed species (Jan Metlevski) (
(4),
(5)Season
Adults first appear in spring just before bud break on oak trees (Coyle et. al, 2013).
Food
Larval hosts are oaks, red oak (Quercus rubra L.) and white oak (Quercus alba L,) preferred (Coyle et. al, 2013).
Life Cycle
Adults appear high in the tree canopy in spring before oak trees bud. Eggs are likely laid near the buds. Caterpillars hide during the day beneath bark or in leaf litter near the host tree. In the evening they migrate up the tree en masse to feed on new leaves. Pupation occurs in the soil or leaf litter. Adults emerge the following spring. Larvae are heavily predated by squirrels and the fiery caterpillar hunter beetle (
Calosoma scrutator). During heavy outbreaks squirrels will damage trees by stripping the bark to get at the caterpillars. Adults and larvae are attracted to lights (Coyle et. al, 2013).
Print References
Coyle, D.R., J. Pickering, K.A. Dyer, F.R. Lehman, J.E. Mohan & Kamal J.K. Gandhi 2013. Dynamics of an Unprecedented Outbreak of Two Native Moth Species,
Cissusa spadix and
Phoberia atomaris (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), on Oak Trees (
Quercus spp.) in the Southeastern United States. American Entomologist 59(2): 83-94 (
PDF)
Hodges, R.W. (ed.), 1983; Check List of the Lepidoptera of America North of Mexico
(6)
Holland, W.J. 1915. The Moth Book. Doubleday, Page & Company.
p.256,
pl.30, f.9
(7)
Lafontaine, J.D. & B.C. Schmidt 2010. Annotated check list of the Noctuoidea (Insecta, Lepidoptera) of North America North of Mexico. p.20
(2)
Wagner, D.L., D.F. Schweitzer, J.B. Sullivan & R.C. Reardon 2011. Owlet Caterpillars of Eastern North America. Princeton University Press. p.145
(3)Internet References
Moth Photographers Group - range map, photos of living and pinned adults.
BOLD - Barcode of Life Data Systems - species account with collection map and photos of pinned adults.
BOLD - Barcode of Life Data Systems - genus page with collection map and photos of pinned adults for all four species.
