Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Amorpha juglandis (
Abbot and
Smith, 1797). Taxonomic notes:
formerly Cressonia juglandis (and originally Sphinx juglandis)
The listing of a "Laothoe juglandis" on many web sites is presumably an error, as the species
juglandis has never been formally placed in the genus
Laothoe, according to the synonym history shown at
FUNET - see comments on
genus page
Explanation of Names
JUGLANDIS: refers to the walnut genus Juglans, one of the larval host plants
Numbers
the only species in this genus in North America
Size
wingspan 45-75 mm; male smaller than female
Identification
Adult: forewing and hindwing color highly variable, from uniformly brown to several colors, often with a whitish, pinkish, or purplish tint; patterns range from faint to pronounced; hindwing with no "flash" pattern; outer margins of all wings scalloped to wavy; proboscis very short
Larva: body usually green (sometimes red) with numerous minute raised white granules and 7 pairs of oblique lateral yellow lines, often bearing reddish blotch at dorsal end; anal horn tinted red; markings, especially red ones, highly variable; head pointed with lateral yellow line running from eyes to crown
[adapted from description by David Wagner and Valerie Giles]
Range
eastern United States and southeastern Canada (Nova Scotia to Florida, west to Texas, north to Manitoba)
Season
adults fly from March to October in the deep south (three or four broods); May to August in the north (one or two broods)
larvae present from May to October
Food
larvae feed on leaves of alder, beech, Black Walnut (Juglans nigra, Butternut (Juglans cinerea, cherry (Prunus spp.), chestnut, hazel (Corylus spp.), hickory (Carya spp.), Hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana)
adults do not feed
Life Cycle
one to four generations per year, depending on latitude
Click on image to view a life cycle:
Remarks
Larvae may produce a whistle-like hiss when handled. This is not to be confused with that of the caterpillar of the palearctic Rhodinia fugax (Saturniidae).
Print References
Covell, p. 38, plate 6 #5
(1)
Wagner, p. 14, photo larva
(2)
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.
adult images and common name reference (Larry Line, Maryland)
live adult and larva images plus description, flight season, food plants (Bill Oehlke, silkmoths.bizland.com)
pinned adult image by Christian Guay (Insects of Quebec)
live larva image plus description, food plants, life cycle (David Wagner and Valerie Giles, Caterpillars of Eastern Forests, USGS)
presence in Florida; list (Michael Thomas, Florida State Collection of Arthropods)
distribution in Canada list of provinces (CBIF)
classification of
Cressonia as a junior synonym of
Amorpha (Butterflies and Moths of the World)