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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera) » Owlet Moths and kin (Noctuoidea) » Erebidae » Tussock Moths (Lymantriinae) » Lymantriini » Lymantria » Spongy Moth - Hodges#8318 (Lymantria dispar)
Photo#372218
Caterpillar ID - Lymantria dispar
Copyright © 2010 Callen Harty

Caterpillar ID - Lymantria dispar
Natural Bridge State Park, Sauk County, Wisconsin, USA
July 5, 2009
Looking for help identifying this. There were five or six of them on the same tree.
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Contributed by Callen Harty on 17 February, 2010 - 11:37pm
Last updated 22 February, 2010 - 6:17pm

Moved
Moved from ID Request.

Placing in the Guide until it can be considered for inclusion in the Arthropod Pathogenic Fungi article. Can be frassed later if not needed.
… Ken Wolgemuth, 22 February, 2010 - 6:17pm login or register to post comments

Killed by fungus
there's a fungus (Entomophaga) that kills gypsy moths and causes them to dangle from trees like this. Blegh!
… Jonas Insinga, 20 February, 2010 - 4:35pm login or register to post comments

 
Virus?
I'm not certain, based on this photo, but I think this may actually be a victim of a nuclear polyhedrosis virus. The telltale sign of the fungus (Entomophaga maimaiga) is that the caterpillar's prolegs are extended to the sides. The caterpillar also typically hangs vertically from the tree.
… Charley Eiseman, 22 February, 2010 - 7:40pm login or register to post comments

 
Possible virus, huh?
That's what I love about this site... No end to the education to be had.
… Ken Wolgemuth, 22 February, 2010 - 8:00pm login or register to post comments

Gypsy Moth - Hodges#8318 (Lymantria dispar)
yours looks sick or dead..
… Edna Woodward, 18 February, 2010 - 12:11am login or register to post comments

 
agreed
∗
… roar, 20 February, 2010 - 11:16am login or register to post comments

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