Tornos scolopacinaria - Tornos

Moved

… George Smiley, 11 August, 2023 - 7:16pm

Hello George,

What plant did you find this caterpillar on. I have been studying the Genus and have them in Schulenburg according to BOLD, but I have never reared one. Now I have them dissected. Trying to clarify some ID's in this Genus. I know you know your stuff, but would appreciate your sharing. I do notice the light color I did not see in T. abjectoria AND the two darker spots on the lower anterior portion. Great photo. I had a hard time getting decent photos

… A. Hendrickson, 6 August, 2023 - 8:52am

Not Recorded

Not recorded, but fairly certain that is Solidago canadensis. I have quite a few others with Symphyotrichum lanceolatum recorded. The ground color of larvae is variable here.

… George Smiley, 6 August, 2023 - 10:47am

Thank you. I don't have a good plant list for the Schulenburg farm. Maybe my neighbor will know if we have Goldenrod. I am sure we have SOME asters.

… A. Hendrickson, 6 August, 2023 - 12:07pm

To Clarify

I doubt larval ground color of these species is a valid determining factor. Barnes and McDunnough described the ground color of Tornos scolopacinaria larvae as 'reddish brown to deep brown'. I would describe your Tornos abjectarius larva as 'deep brown' and matching the other characteristics they gave.

Here the Tornus larvae range in color from light tan to dark brown, but otherwise share the same characteristics. How many species that represents is another thing I'll just have to add to the list in light of your latest results.

… George Smiley, 11 August, 2023 - 7:16pm

VERY interesting contribution to the Tornos puzzle. I will pass it on to others I have been confering with who might not see this post, such as JoAnne Russ, Valerie Bugh, and Dave Wagner.

… A. Hendrickson, 12 August, 2023 - 9:24am