DEAD-WOOD BORER

DEAD-WOOD BORER

Scolecocampa liburna
OWLET MOTH FAMILY (Erebidae)


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The Dead-Wood Borer caterpillar grows to about 1.75 inches. The body is shiny white and translucent. The head is chocolate brown and shiny. The prothoracic shield is black. The proleg on the third abdominal segment is absent on this species. The adult moth has a wingspan of about 1.75 inches. The forewing is tan with black dots on the AM and PM lines. The hollow reniform spot is outlined in black.

 

The frequency of occurrence in Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods is not known. The caterpillar was photographed at Camp Brewster, Fontenelle Forest during a Bioblitz in late April 2012. Aht adult moth was found at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center on July 23, 2013 coming to artificial lights.

 

The larva tunnels under loose bark of fallen branches and trunks of hickory, oak, sycamore and other trees. The food may actually be fungus growing in the wood.

 

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