Family and Species Accounts
From Bugwoodwiki
Maier, C.T., C.R. Lemmon, J.M. Fengler, D.F. Schweitzer, and R.C. Reardon. 2004. Caterpillars on the Foliage of Conifers in the Northeastern United States. FHTET-2004-1. Morgantown, WV: USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team; 151 p.
In this section, we give a summary of each family, emphasizing caterpillars, followed by descriptions of various species within the family. The families are arranged from the most primitive to the most advanced. The classification scheme generally follows Scoble (1992), although the family Argyresthiidae is retained as distinct. Within each family, the species that have similar appearance or food plants usually are grouped, although those within the same genus are not separated. The most important feature of each species account is the photograph, because truly "one picture is worth a thousand words". As far as we know, our photographs depict mature caterpillars (last instars). To avoid confusion about the use of specialized terms for the location of colored marks or structures, most of the caterpillars are oriented horizontally with their true top or dorsal side upward; in nature, the caterpillars often position themselves differently.
The text for each species of caterpillar begins with the common name and then the scientific name, which is latinized. In the first paragraph (Description), we begin by characterizing the general color, color patterns, structures, or other features that sometimes, but not always, allow a caterpillar to be identified. This initial, general description usually is followed by a more detailed characterization of the head, thorax, and abdomen. Generally, our detailed descriptions go from head to thorax to abdomen and from top to bottom within each body region. Sometimes the descriptive pattern is altered to combine several features of similar color, color pattern, or structure or to emphasize prominent features. In most cases, characteristics that occur on both sides of the caterpillar are described as if they were on only one side, because the opposite side is just a "mirror image" of the side that is visible in the photograph. Finally, we estimate the maximum length in millimeters (mm) of the full-grown or mature caterpillar.
Descriptions of small species that mine foliage or live in concealed situations often are very brief because these caterpillars have few distinguishing features that are easily seen. In these species, identification usually depends as much upon the food plant or type of damage as upon morphology. Relatively few needleminers are featured, although the ones that are shown are representative of the group as a whole. Larger caterpillars have longer, more detailed descriptions because many of their features are obvious to the naked eye. Species that have only subtle differences may not be separable. Also, bear in mind that caterpillars can change color from instar to instar and that mature ones can be highly variable in appearance. Although our photographs usually represent only one individual of one color form, other forms or variants may exist.
The next section (Food) typically gives the common name of known plants upon which the caterpillar feeds; sometimes we suggest how often the food is used. The third part (Life Cycle) gives, in the following order, the number of generations during one year, the stage of the insect that passes the winter, and the estimated period when the mature caterpillar (final instar) can normally be found on foliage. Readers should be aware that many species mature about 1 month earlier in southern New Jersey than in northern New England. Additional information on appearance, damage, feeding habits, origin, economic importance, closely related species, or former scientific names is mentioned in a final section (Comments). Here we often supplement the brief descriptions of tiny caterpillars by including information about their feeding damage or behavior.
