Apatelodes torrefacta

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# 7763

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-uh-loh-deez tor-uh-fak-tuh

Adult Size and Description

Wingspan: 32–46 mm (1.3–1.8 in)
Coloration and Patterning:

Tannish brown to orange. Hindwings typically darker
Discal eyespot on each wing. Forewings with a transparent center. Hindwing spots larger, bordered in black, and resembling vertebrate eyes.

Sexual Dimorphism:

Male antennae broader than females
Male abdomens thinner and more tapered than females

Defense Mechanisms:

Crypsis — Leaf coloration
Batesian Mimicry — Discal eyespots
Deimatic Display — Dramatic flopping on the ground while flashing hindwing eyespots to frighten predators

Range

This map illustrates documented North American records of Apatelodes torrefacta as of 25 August 2022.

Documented record(s)

Conservation Status — NatureServe Rankings

Although their populations are considered secure, polyphemus moths overwinter as pupae, often in leaf litter. At least one source indicates the common autumn practice of raking and discarding leaves must result in widespread loss of polyphemus pupae (Bouseman & Sternburg 2002).

secure 5: Secure NR: Not ranked

Floral Associates

Apatelodes torrefacta 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.

Family	Taxonomic Name	Common Name
Known Larval Food Sources in Indiana
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

Spotted Apatelodes (Apatelodes torrefacta) in Indiana

The map, graph(s), and data below represent the Indiana sightings of Apatelodes torrefacta as of 11 March 2025, confirmed through photographic evidence by individuals who contributed to the Great American IN Nature Lepidoptera Project (GAIN LP).

Occurrences by County

Counties recorded: 45 of 92

Top counties/#of records:
Brown: 18
Monroe: 13
Hamilton: 9
Jefferson: 9
Scott: 8
Owen: 6
Marion: 6

species present icon GAIN LP documented in county

Sightings by Month

Earliest live adult: Sarah Ricketts, Jefferson County on 20 May 2021
Latest live adult observation: Kevin Wyckoff, Huntington County on 24 August 2019

Total Sightings by Year

Total Number of observations (all years combined): 124
Number of field observers: 78

Sightings by Gender

Image Gallery

The images and records below were all submitted by individuals through the Great American Indiana Nature Lepidoptera Project (GAIN LP).