Humphrey the Caterpillar

Humphrey - Hickory Horned Devil Caterpillar
(Picture by Linda Secrist)

One of the cool things about working on the hotline, is the occasional surprise when a bug, or plant sample comes in, that is out of the ordinary.  I watched Steve get all excited last year when an example of Dodder, a parasitic weed, was brought in.  We learn about this stuff from books, and our MG classes, but it's rare enough, that Steve, in all his years in the Horticulture industry, had never seen a live sample, outside a classroom.

Citheronia regalis
(Picture by Linda Secrist)

The same thing happened this week with a huge, 5+ inch caterpillar, with a cigar-size girth, that was promptly named Humphrey by Barb Petrucci's granddaughter, Kenzie, in helping Barb that day.  Linda Secrist helped identify Humphrey as a Hickory Horned Devil, or Citheronia regalis.

The species overwinters as a pupa in the ground.
The larva, commonly called the hickory horned devil, is one of the largest found in the area. The full-grown caterpillar (Photo 1) is 100-125 mm long. The head is orange and the body bluish green or sometimes brownish. Useful distinguishing structures are the long conspicuous spines or horns on the thorax; there are two on the first thoracic segment and four on each of the second and third segments. Thoracic horns are usually orange tipped with black, but sometimes may be mostly black. Rows of short black spines occur along the back and sides of the body.

Caterpillars are generally present from July through September. When fully grown, larvae enter the soil and pupate.

Citheronia regalis
(Picture by Linda Secrist)

Another common name is the Royal Walnut Moth.  Humphrey was Dr. Raupp's "Bug of the Week" September 21, 2009.

Adults do not feed and live only a few short days, but caterpillars require several weeks to develop. The hickory horned devil occurs from Florida to New England.  In Southern states, two generations of this beauty occur each year and in the north, only one generation completes development each year.

The royal or regal moths and the giant silk moths like Nancy's earlier Polyphemus moth, belong to the same family Saturniidae.

Most members of this family are large moths, the cecropia being the largest moth in North America. Because of their large size and sometimes striking colors and shapes, they attract a lot of attention when they are encountered, even among people who have no special interest in entomology. Also because the moths are rarely abundant, they are hardly ever taken for granted when one announces its presence by fluttering against a window at night.

The caterpillar stages of these moths are also large and spectacular and are observed more often than the moths. Some are ornamented with spines and barbed horns which makes them seem likely candidates for roles in horror movies. For the most part, this horrendous appearance is all show as far as harm to humans is concerned. However, the spines on the io moth caterpillar are true defensive weapons and can produce a painful sting to anyone who carelessly handles them.

Adult Citheronia regalis - Clemson University

The adult moth emerges in late June to early July and has a wingspread of six inches.  The body is orange. The front wings are grayish with red-orange veins and yellow spots; hind wings are mostly orange with some yellow markings.

2013 National Moth Week - July 20-27

Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis) Picture Credit Jen Wetzel

In observance of National Moth Week, fellow citizen scientists will be setting up white sheets and lights on dark porches, city streets, backyards, fields and woods throughout the country and around the globe in order to observe and document one of nature’s most diverse – and misunderstood – creatures.

Hickory Horned Devil Caterpillar

National Moth Week literally shines a much-needed spotlight on moths and their ecological significance. There are hundreds of thousands of moth species, many of them as beautiful as their colorful cousins – butterflies – and just as important to the ecosystem. Moths also can tell us a lot about our changing environment by their geographical and seasonal distribution.

White Lined Sphinx Moth on Lantana

Moths are among the most diverse and successful organisms on earth. Scientists estimate there are 150,000 to more than 500,000 moth species. Their colors and patterns are either dazzling or so cryptic that they define camouflage. Shapes and sizes span the gamut from as small as a pinhead to as large as an adult’s hand. Most moths are nocturnal, and need to be sought at night to be seen – others fly like butterflies during the day, and some look like hummingbirds. Finding moths can be as simple as leaving a porch light on and checking it after dark.  Serious moth aficionados use special lights and baits to attract them.

Polyphemus Moth - Antheraea polyphemus

The week-long event allows people of all ages and abilities to become “citizen scientists” and contribute scientific data about the moths they observe in their own communities. In its first year in 2012, National Moth Week attracted participants in 49 states and 29 countries outside the U.S., who registered 307 event locations. Moth events took place in diverse settings, from the streets of Manhattan to remote sites in Costa Rica, Kenya and Gambia.

Tobacco Hornworm Manduca sexta

Numerous organizations around the world have partnered with National Moth Week and are supporting the event. Through partnerships with major online biological data depositories, National Moth Week participants can help map moth distribution and provide needed information on other life history aspects around the globe.

Clearwing Hummingbird Moth

Partners include Project Noah, Encyclopedia of Life, Discover Life, and the USDA Agricultural Research Service. Many partner websites are repositories for data and photos about moths and other organisms.

For more information about National Moth Week, and for information on how to register and participate visit nationalmothweek.org

The Blog has several entries on beautiful moths and their caterpillars found in our area. Among them:

Imperial Moth
Polyphemus Moth
Hickory Horned Devil Caterpillar
Clear Wing Hummingbird Moth
White Lined Sphinx Moth
Tobacco and Tomato Hornworm Caterpillar

Enjoy.

Imperial Moth - Eacles imperialis

Eacles imperialis - Imperial Moth

Quinn Cashell, a 4-H Summer Program Assistant noticed this beautiful moth laying eggs on the Gass House this afternoon.  Linda Secrist, and Don Knode, the Master Gardener on duty at the Hotline identified it as an Imperial Moth, or Eacles imperialis.  Jenn Wetzel came out and took these close up pictures.

Eacles imperialis - Imperial Moth

Imperial Moths belong to the family Saturniidae, that include the Polyphemus Moth, and the Hickory Horned Devil that we've noticed elsewhere on the blog.

Egg Laying Closeup - Eacles imperialis - Imperial Moth

The larval host plants for this moth are trees like Bald Cypress, basswood, birch, cedar, elm, hickory, Honeylocust, maple, oak, pine, Sassafras (Sassafras albidum), Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), sycamore, and walnut.  They are seldom present in sufficient numbers to cause serious damage.

The chance of these eggs hatching and finding a host species for food are not high - poor choice for an egg laying site, mommy moth.

Eacles imperialis - Imperial Moth

Come learn more about gardening for wildlife, including moths and butterflies and their larval host plants at the Saturday, August 4th workshop,
 "Butterflies in Your Backyard" from 9:30-11:30 where Master Gardeners Kathy Engle and Laurie Collins will show participants how to design and maintain a butterfly garden.

Eacles imperialis - Imperial Moth

This class will discuss basic design principles and important requirements for a successful butterfly garden. Focus will be on different butterflies found in our area and proper plant selection for each type. Information on various conservation programs to certify local gardens will also be discussed.

Chestnuts and Woodlots

Master Gardener Lionel Lemery discusses Chestnuts and Woodlots at Master Gardener Nancy and Larry Miller's property off Warm Spring Road:




Update February 10th - News article from today's Public Opinion can be read here. That link will only be viable for a week or so. Here is a small excerpt:

Six years ago, Lionel Lemery, retired U.S. forester, set out to fulfill Larry Miller's dream of restoring 34 wooded acres in Hamilton Township.

"I love wood," said Miller, a founder of the Cumberland Valley Wood Turners. "I wanted to keep (the woodlot) somewhat pristine and keep it as natural as possible. Wood is a renewable resource, but you have to renew it on a regular basis."

The wooded oasis hugs a tiny tributary of the Conococheague Creek on the valley floor - past the $200,000 new homes and just over the crest of cropland. Mature hickory trees surround a three-acre pond noisy with Canada geese.

Woodpeckers rap on old snaps. Lemery said he's seen a bald eagle, an osprey, deer, turkeys and foxes. Bluebirds nest in the bird boxes he set out. Tires, trash, a migrant camp, utility poles and invasive plants were removed. More than 700 trees of 26 species, including American chestnut, were planted. Old timber was logged.

"Our hope is eventually to make it available to the public for walking and watching wildlife, maybe catch-and-release (fishing)," Miller said. "It takes a while to educate the public with what you're doing. We're trying to make it available in a gradual way so people will come to appreciate what's there. It's a long way to get it to where we want it to be."

Forest Stewardship Tour

Franklin County Cooperative Extension Environmental Educator, George Hurd, announces a Forest Stewardship Tour of fellow Master Gardener Nancy and Larry Miller's property, managed by fellow Master Gardener and retired forester, Lionel Lemery:

Your forest can offer many benefits, including financial, environmental, aesthetic, and recreational resources. If you are a forest landowner, you should have a forest stewardship plan that organizes your personal objectives into a comprehensive strategy for attaining what you want from your woods. A forest stewardship plan is your road map to responsible forestry. It is a guide that tells you what your resources are, what condition they are in, and what can be done to help you achieve your goals. It considers your short and long term objectives; analyzes the capabilities, limitations, and unique features of your land; looks at how your land fits into the surrounding landscape; and evaluates a wide range of the environmental and financial benefits and consequences.

On Saturday, September 11th, the Cumberland Woodland Owners Association is sponsoring a Forest Stewardship Woodlot Tour to educate woodland owners about how a Forest Stewardship Plan is developed and implemented. A consulting forester and PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry staff will lead the tour through a private woodlot near Chambersburg. You do not have to be a member of the association and there is no cost to attend.

The tour will be of a privately owned 34 acre wooded property that includes a 3 acre pond and 2.5 acres of former agricultural fields. Approximately 27 acres are in mixed oak-hickory hardwoods. Timber stand improvement harvest, farm field conversion to woodlot, wildlife habitat management, recreational trail construction, property boundary marking, control of invasive species, removal of manmade structures, road improvement, pond management and cost share programs are some of the conservation practices that you will see on the tour.

The woodlot Tour will start on Saturday, September 11th at 1:00 PM. To get to the woodlot from Chambersburg, take Route 30 west (Lincoln Way West) to PA Rt. 995(Warm Spring Road). Turn left at the red light on to Rt. 995 (Warm Springs Road) and then travel 2.8 miles. After passing mailbox # 1592, the next dirt lane on the left is the access road to woodlot. There is a 6 ft tall blue and white real estate sign opposite access road. Look for signs. Wear appropriate clothing for outdoors including hiking boots. Bring raingear in case weather is marginal. For more information about the tour, contact Penn State Cooperative Extension at 263-9226. If severe weather is threatening on the day of the event, call 717/262-0083 for information.

The Cumberland Woodland Owners Association is an organization of forestland owners and others interested in forestry issues in south central Pennsylvania. For more information about the Cumberland Woodland Owners Association, contact Fred Peabody at 717/776-3565 (email: fredp5@earthlink.net).

Miller Stewardship Forest

On Wednesday, May 29th, Franklin County Master Gardeners were treated to a tour of the Miller Stewardship Forest.  The 34 acre property is owned by Larry and Nancy Miller (MG), and has been carefully transformed from an unmanaged old farm woodlot with many invasive species, into a restoration  oak-hickory forest by retired forester and Master Gardener Lionel Lemery.

Guide MG Lionel Lemery

The property includes a three acre pond and a two acre tree plantation, including Chestnut trees as a part of the blight-resistant breeding program to bring back the American Chestnut.

Three Acre Pond

The pond was created by an earthen dam around 1949.  It has a maximum depth of 26 feet and supports good populations of bluegills and some largemouth bass. 

Wildlife Observed

The two-acre plantation was planted in 2008 and 2009 with 23 species of trees and shrubs, in addition to the Chestnuts.  Three bluebird nesting boxes are spaced along the field edge.

Bridge Over a Part of the Pond

There is a one mile walking trail loop through the property that is open to the public for hiking and nature study.  Public hunting and fishing is prohibited.  Please call (717) 263-0083 to make arrangements.

MG's on the Tour

The 120+ year old forest was commercially thinned in 2009, removing 1/3 of the tree growth to allow space for more desirable species.  Dead snags and cavity trees were left to attract woodpeckers and owls to the property.  Both Barred Owls and a Great Horned Owl have been heard living on the property.

Rattlesnake Weed - Hieracium venosum

The Rattlesnake Weed, or Hieracium venosum, gets a dandelion-like yellow flower, on a very tall stem.  Pictures at the links.

MG's on the Trail

More Explanations from Lionel

The Millers are managing their land to sustain forest health and to provide habitat for wildlife and leave a family legacy for their grandchildren.

Stewardship, indeed!

Thanks, Nancy and Lionel - what a great way to earn continuing education credits, while enjoying nature and conservation at its finest.

National Moth Week is Coming!

by Carol Kagan, Master Gardener



Polyphemus Moth - Antheraea polyphemus

National Moth Week is July 19 through 27, 2014.

Why celebrate moths? 

• Moths are among the most diverse and successful organisms on earth.
• Scientists estimate there are 150,000 to more than 500,000 moth species.
• Their colors and patterns are either dazzling or so cryptic that they define camouflage. Shapes and sizes span the gamut from as small as a pinhead to as large as an adult’s hand.
• Most moths are nocturnal, and need to be sought at night to be seen – others fly like butterflies during the day.

Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis) Picture Credit Jen Wetzel

Check out previous posts on moths.

Imperial Moth
What is THAT? Cercropia Moth Caterpillar
Waiting for GOoD mOTh
Polyphemus Moth
Hickory Horned Devil Caterpillar
Clear Wing Hummingbird Moth
White Lined Sphinx Moth
Tobacco and Tomato Hornworm Caterpillar

Cercropia Moth Caterpillar (Carol Kagan)

Cercropia Moth - largest in N. America

Better yet, go outside after dusk and look for some.

Clearwing Hummingbird Moth

Not a night person? You can try to see a hummingbird moth during the day. Check out all the places hummingbirds and bees would go for nectar such as butterfly bush, phlox and bee balm.

Fun site for the hummingbird moth: Hummingbirdmoth.com

More information on moths

National Moth Week 2013
Extension Master Gardener: Almost Wordless Wednesday- National Moth Week 7/19-7/27

Thanks to Ray E. for several of the previous posts.

Polyphemus Moth - Antheraea polyphemus

Nancy Miller sent this picture, taken on the porch floor of her daughter's home.  Nancy says, "It was so beautiful I wanted to bring it home with me."

The Polyphemus Moth is probably the commonest giant silk moth. It was named after the one-eyed giant Polyphemus of Greek mythology because of the large eyespots on its hindwings. The accordion-shaped larva feeds on a variety of trees and shrubs, especially on oak, hickory, elm, maple, and birch. The rounded, tough, parchment-like cocoon is found hanging on the food plant.  Full-grown polyphemus moth caterpillars are nearly 3 inches long and are bright green with a brown head. On each angular body segment are six yellow-orange tubercles with small bristles. On most abdominal segments a yellow line runs through the brown spiracle and connects the first and second tubercles found on each side of the body.  The Polyphemus Moth was University of Maryland Entomologist, Dr. Raupp's, Bug of the Week on July 14, 2008.  He had this to say about the eyespots on the wings:

Scientists believe that these eyespots aid in defense of insects and other animals in several ways. Eyespots may resemble the eyes of a potential predator’s own predators.  Moths and butterflies are tasty fare for many birds, but in turn, birds are meals for larger winged predators such as owls. Eyespots and color patterns on the wings of some moths resemble the face of an owl. Imagine the terror of a bird about to eat what appears to be a harmless moth, when suddenly the hungry bird confronts the face of an owl. A second way that eyespots may aid in defense is to direct an attack away from vulnerable parts of the body. Some predators attack the head of the victim where maximum damage results. False eyespots on less critical parts of the body such as wings may steer a first strike away from a lethal spot and provide time for the intended prey to escape.

Although a single individual can consume relatively large amounts of foliage, their numbers rarely reach levels that would warrant control.

Nancy also sends along this picture of a Tiger Swallowtail, with the caption: "Tattered and torn but still beautiful. So sad, such a short life span."

An Albino Wooly Bear?

Nancy M. sent in a picture of a wooly white caterpillar that was eating her oak trees. Alex was able to identify it as a hickory tussock moth caterpillar (Lophocampa caryae). Those long hairs are defense mechanisms that can cause stinging rashes.

From the OSU fact sheet:

Caterpillars or larvae of certain moths possess stinging hairs. These sharp hairs or spines are either hollow, connected to poison glands (venom flows on contact), or similar to glass fibers (hairs break off in skin easily) sometimes causing pain like a needle prick. Depending on the individual, reaction to the sting ranges from mild, with local reddening, swelling, burning and itching to severe pain. Hypersensitive persons may experience severe swelling, nausea and generalized systemic reactions, occasionally requiring hospital treatment. In severe cases, entrance of hairs into the eye can cause blindness.

This caterpillar is basically white with a black head and when fully grown is about 1-1/2 inches long. Symptoms are usually a skin rash (poison ivy-like) and sometimes severe itching followed by a painful burning sensation.

Here’s the Wikipedia entry.