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
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).
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
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:
Apatelodes torrefacta Sightings by Month
Conservation Status
Global status: G5 (secure)
National status: N5 (secure)
Indiana status: NR (not ranked)
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 Aquifoliaceae Ilex spp.hollies Order: Asterales Asteraceae Arctium spp.burdocks Order: Dipsicales Adoxaceae Viburnum spp.viburnums Order: Ericales Ericaceae Rhododendron spp.azaleas and rhododendrons Order: Fabales Fabaceae Strophostyles spp.wild beans Order: Fagales Betulaceae Alnus spp.alders Carpinus caroliniana musclewood, aka blue beech Corylus americana American hazelnut Fagaceae Quercus spp.oaks Juglandaceae Carya spp.hickories Juglans spp.black walnut and butternut
Order: Lamiales Oleaceae Fraxinus spp.ashes Order: Laurales Lauraceae Sassafras albidum sassafras Order: Magnoliales Annonaceae Asimina triloba pawpaw Order: Rosales Rosaceae Prunus spp.cherries Rubus spp.blackberries, dewberries, and raspberries Order: Salicales Salicaceae Salix spp.willows Order: Sapindales Aceraceae Acer spp.maples Order: Saxifragales Hamamelidaceae Hamamelis spp.witch hazels