RUBY QUAKER

RUBY QUAKER

Orthosia rubescens
OWLET MOTH FAMILY (Noctuidae)


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The Ruby Quaker caterpillar grows to about 1 5/8 inches. The early instars are green. The brown and white last instar is dark above with a broad white spiracular stripe and is pale below. The 8th segment is swollen. The head is tan with dark brown patterns and a white midstripe on the top. There are also green and blue forms. The Ruby Quaker moth has a wingspan of 1 1/4 to 1 5/8 inches. The forewing is variable, but it is usually reddish-brown with a paler basal area. The reniform spot has a dark dot in the inner half.

 

The Ruby Quaker is probably common in Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods. There is one generation of mature caterpillars from late April to early July. The mature brown caterpillar rests on bark during the day.

 

The larval foodplants are many trees and shrubs including both broadleaf and coniferous. In this area they would include cherry, elderberry, gooseberry, green briar, hophornbeam, maple, oak and viburnum.

 

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