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Adult — Owen County (Rick Malad)
Adult — Fountain County (Carla Frazier)
Adult side view — Grant County (Anthony Lara)
Adult side view — Scott County (Brian Lowry)
Caterpillar with yellow coloration — Jefferson County (Ryan Stohler)
Caterpillar with white coloration — LaGrange County (Doug Selzer)
An Indiana Native

Apatelodes torrefacta — Spotted Apatelodes

J.E. Smith, 1797

torrefacta Species Apatelodes Genus Apatelodinae Subfamily Family Apatelodidae Bombycoidea Superfamily Order Lepidoptera Insecta Class Hexapoda Subphylum Phylum Arthropoda Kingdom Animalia
torrefacta Species Apatelodes Genus Apatelodinae Subfamily Family Apatelodidae Bombycoidea Superfamily Order Lepidoptera Insecta Class Hexapoda Subphylum Phylum Arthropoda Kingdom Animalia

Hodges# 7663

Etymology

Apatelodes: Combines the older genus Apatela once used for the Dagger moths and the Greek odes, for “resembling.”

Torrefacta: Possibly from the Latin torre meaning “ to burn or char,” and facta, “the act of;” perhaps in reference to skin irritation caused by contact with the caterpillars that is said to occur with some people.

Pronunciation

Uh-PAT-eh-loads tor-eh-FACT-uh

Adult — Owen County (Rick Malad)
Adult — Fountain County (Carla Frazier)
Adult side view — Grant County (Anthony Lara)
Adult side view — Scott County (Brian Lowry)
Caterpillar with yellow coloration — Jefferson County (Ryan Stohler)
Caterpillar with white coloration — LaGrange County (Doug Selzer)

Documented Occurrences

This map shows the verified sightings of the Spotted Apatelodes in Indiana. All sightings were confirmed through photographic documentation by individuals who contributed to the Great American IN Nature Lepidoptera Project (GAIN LP).

species present icon GAIN LP
documented
in county.

GAIN LP Sightings

Date County Observer Notes Image1 Image2
2024-09-13 Harrison McGuire, Julie
2024-09-13 Harrison McGuire, Julie AC
2024-08-18 Monroe McKinney, Amber
2024-08-18 Monroe McKinney, Amber
2024-08-18 Monroe McKinney, Amber
2024-07-13 Putnam Robertson, Kate
2024-06-29 Hamilton McCord, Dan
2024-06-19 Brown Pollock, Michele
2024-06-15 Fayette Jaskula, Jeanette
2024-06-07 Ripley Jaskula, Jeanette
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Observation Details Images
Date: 2024-09-13
County: Harrison
Observer: McGuire, Julie
Notes:
Date: 2024-09-13
County: Harrison
Observer: McGuire, Julie
Notes: AC
Date: 2024-08-18
County: Monroe
Observer: McKinney, Amber
Notes:
Date: 2024-08-18
County: Monroe
Observer: McKinney, Amber
Notes:
Date: 2024-08-18
County: Monroe
Observer: McKinney, Amber
Notes:
Date: 2024-07-13
County: Putnam
Observer: Robertson, Kate
Notes:
Date: 2024-06-29
County: Hamilton
Observer: McCord, Dan
Notes:
Date: 2024-06-19
County: Brown
Observer: Pollock, Michele
Notes:
Date: 2024-06-15
County: Fayette
Observer: Jaskula, Jeanette
Notes:
Date: 2024-06-07
County: Ripley
Observer: Jaskula, Jeanette
Notes:
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Apatelodes torrefacta Sightings by Month

Conservation Status

Floral Associates

Spotted Apatelodes caterpillars are fairly generalistic feeders who are able to utilize a variety of flora, particularly the foliage of native trees. Adult moths do not feed.


Known Larval Food Sources in Indiana
Family Taxonomic Name Common Name
Order: Aquifoliales
AquifoliaceaeIlex spp.hollies
Order: Asterales
AsteraceaeArctium spp.burdocks
Order: Dipsicales
AdoxaceaeViburnum spp.viburnums
Order: Ericales
EricaceaeRhododendron spp.azaleas and rhododendrons
Order: Fabales
FabaceaeStrophostyles spp.wild beans
Order: Fagales
BetulaceaeAlnus spp.alders
Carpinus carolinianamusclewood, aka blue beech
Corylus americanaAmerican hazelnut
FagaceaeQuercus spp.oaks
JuglandaceaeCarya spp.hickories
Juglans spp.black walnut and butternut
Order: Lamiales
OleaceaeFraxinus spp.ashes
Order: Laurales
LauraceaeSassafras albidumsassafras
Order: Magnoliales
AnnonaceaeAsimina trilobapawpaw
Order: Rosales
RosaceaePrunus spp.cherries
Rubus spp.blackberries, dewberries, and raspberries
Order: Salicales
SalicaceaeSalix spp.willows
Order: Sapindales
AceraceaeAcer spp.maples
Order: Saxifragales
HamamelidaceaeHamamelis spp.witch hazels