Species Synchlora aerata - Wavy-lined Emerald - Hodges#7058

7058

Camouflaged Looper (caterpillar)

Synchlora aerata – (Fabricius, 1798)

Twelve Synchlora species occur in America north of Mexico

FWL ≈ 7-12 mm (1)

WS ≈ 13-24mm

Adult: FW pale green with slightly wavy AM & PM. Dotted white ST is sometimes noticeable. Fringe on all wings is pale green. Abdomen has narrow white dorsal stripe, running entire length.

Larva: Caterpillar adorns its body with plant fragments, usually flower petals, to camouflage it as it feeds. It is the only widespread species to do so(2), but from Maryland southwards other Synchlora spp. are also present and only raising to adulthood can yield a definite caterpillar ID.

Southern Canada to Georgia and Texas.(2)

Fields and other open habitats.

Caterpillars feed on a wide variety of plants, often composite flowers but also many other flowering plants, shrubs and trees.

Overwinters as a middle instar larva.(2)

Camouflaged larvae and pupae

Larvae and pupae

Adult female, filiform antennae. Adult male, pectinate antennae

Synchlora frondaria which also has the white stripe on the dorsal of the abdomen, but has more dentate transverse lines