The Arizona Crested Coralroot stop was a good one! So besides the Coralroot we found two cats.
Jeanne had noticed right away after she found this clump of the Arizona Crested Coralroot (Bletia arizonica) a Yellow-striped Armyworm Moth (Spodoptera ornithogalli)! This was the first cat. The larvae feed on many herbaceous plants. However BugGuide does not list it for this plant.
Next to the Arizona Crested Coralroot (Bletia arizonica) were some Greenbriars (Smilax bon-nox). In fact I had to do some trimming to be able to get the Coralroot. This little guy was snug on the stem of one of the Greenbriar’s stem. They were only about 5 or 6 millimeter! So I decided to take them home to pin down sn ID. Furthermore I knew to be careful with the stinging spines.
With their short spines, I ID’d as a Pin-striped Slug Moth (Monoleuca semifascia)!
Goodness, they really are beautiful! When I previously found the cat, they were also on the Greenbriar (2021). BugGuide says “Larvae feed on leaves of oak and other trees and shrubs such as cherry, pecan, persimmon.” So there are other plants to search if you wanted to find one.
In June 2021, I actually found the beautiful chocolate brown Pin-striped Slug Moth adult in the house! However I have found an adult outside on another occasion too.
What a great stop, the Arizona Crested Coralroot and two cats! 🙂
That slug moth is truly a beauty!
I think they’re all pretty if you just look. That cat really is gorgeous even if spiney.
Gorgeous!!!
Love the slug caterpillar! Great finds! And that coral root is amazing, too.