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
2019-07-29	Carroll	Ropes, Bobbi	Caterpillar
2019-07-24	Lawrence	Hillenburg, Evan	Caterpillar
2019-07-17	Brown	Arens, Kathy	Adult
2019-07-16	Jefferson	Leach, Kayla	Adult
2019-07-10	Brown	Pollock, Michele	Adult
2019-07-10	Johnson	Bowman, Megan	Adult
2019-07-06	Fayette	English, Philip	Adult Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary
2019-07-02	Monroe	Setze, Tracey	Adult
2019-07-02	St. Joseph	Sass, Steve	Adult
2019-07-01	Crawford	Mader, Jeff	Adult

Observation Details	Images
Date: 2019-07-29 County: Carroll Observer: Ropes, Bobbi Notes: Caterpillar
Date: 2019-07-24 County: Lawrence Observer: Hillenburg, Evan Notes: Caterpillar
Date: 2019-07-17 County: Brown Observer: Arens, Kathy Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-07-16 County: Jefferson Observer: Leach, Kayla Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-07-10 County: Brown Observer: Pollock, Michele Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-07-10 County: Johnson Observer: Bowman, Megan Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-07-06 County: Fayette Observer: English, Philip Notes: Adult Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary
Date: 2019-07-02 County: Monroe Observer: Setze, Tracey Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-07-02 County: St. Joseph Observer: Sass, Steve Notes: Adult
Date: 2019-07-01 County: Crawford Observer: Mader, Jeff Notes: Adult

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