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

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 Sightings

Date	County	Observer	Notes	Image1	Image2
2019-09-01	Porter	Jackson, Rita	Caterpillar
2019-08-30	Tipton	Beck, Patti	Caterpillar
2019-08-29	Bartholomew	Young, Debra	Caterpillar
2019-08-24	Huntington	Wyckoff, Kevin	Caterpillar at Salamonie Reservoir
2019-08-17	Allen	Black, Amanda	Caterpillar at Lindenwood Nature Preserve
2019-08-17	Allen	Black, Amanda	Caterpillar at Lindenwood Nature Preserve
2019-08-11	Johnson	Howson, Deb	Caterpillar
2019-08-06	Noble	Pauls, Brian	Caterpillar on Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
2019-08-03	Whitley	Underwood, Laura	Caterpillar (one white and one yellow)
2019-08-03	Wayne	Conwell, Chris	Caterpillar

Observation Details	Images
Date: 2019-09-01 County: Porter Observer: Jackson, Rita Notes: Caterpillar
Date: 2019-08-30 County: Tipton Observer: Beck, Patti Notes: Caterpillar
Date: 2019-08-29 County: Bartholomew Observer: Young, Debra Notes: Caterpillar
Date: 2019-08-24 County: Huntington Observer: Wyckoff, Kevin Notes: Caterpillar at Salamonie Reservoir
Date: 2019-08-17 County: Allen Observer: Black, Amanda Notes: Caterpillar at Lindenwood Nature Preserve
Date: 2019-08-17 County: Allen Observer: Black, Amanda Notes: Caterpillar at Lindenwood Nature Preserve
Date: 2019-08-11 County: Johnson Observer: Howson, Deb Notes: Caterpillar
Date: 2019-08-06 County: Noble Observer: Pauls, Brian Notes: Caterpillar on Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
Date: 2019-08-03 County: Whitley Observer: Underwood, Laura Notes: Caterpillar (one white and one yellow)
Date: 2019-08-03 County: Wayne Observer: Conwell, Chris Notes: Caterpillar

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