Saga of the Flag Moth - Part 8
Dysschema sp.
16.7354, -92.6387
Field Notes
Description:
By the end of January, 13 of the 14 original larvae had pupated (1st picture). These 13 all pupated on the floor of the container containing their host plant (the Grass-leaved Goldenrod http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/19298278/fullscreen). The 14th larva continued feeding for almost 2 weeks longer. This one was alone and undisturbed by other larva and proceeded to make a very thin, fine "sling" of webbing within the leaves of the host plant. After 5 days of dormant prepupal inactivity, it formed it's pupa on 2 February 2013 within the sling of webbing and remained there. Moderate shaking of the branches did not dislodge it. I believe this what probably occurs in nature and that the pupae remain hidden in the leaves throughout pupation. The video is a brief showing of the feeding of this last larva.
Habitat:
San Cristobal de Las Casas, 2,200 meters.
Notes:
Part 1: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/16531123/fullscreen.
Part 2: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/16713052/fullscreen.
Part 3: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/16913354/fullscreen.
Part 4: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/17030513/fullscreen.
Part 5: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/17021389/fullscreen.
Part 6: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/21407210/fullscreen.
Part 7: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/21407212/fullscreen.
Part 9: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/21286301/fullscreen.
Part 10: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/22111008/fullscreen.
Comments (0)
Be the first to comment
Sign in to comment