Cedar Creek Natural History Area

Insects of Cedar Creek

Order LEPIDOPTERA

Sue Andreas Seabolt (LTER 1982) deserves much of the credit for light trapping many of these species as well as other Macros. More than 75 species have been collected at Cedar Creek.  It is likely that several of these species are misidentified, and a number of specimens (generally in poor condition) remain undetermined.  It is likely that this listing is but a fraction of the number of species to be found here.

PANTHEINAE
The Pantheinae are forest species breeding on conifers and hardwoods. Charadra deridens and Pantheasp? have been collected. Other genera include (Colocasia, Raphia).

ACRONICTINAE
The Dagger Moths also breed on hardwoods in forest. Acronicta is the dominant genus. Species collected at Cedar Creek include: ?A. americana, A. dactylina, A. innotata, A. noctivaga, A. oblinita?. These species feed primarily on alder, birch, aspen and willow. Harrisimemna trisignata has also been collected. Other genera include (Simyra, Agriopodes, Polygrammate).

NOCTUINAE
The Darts are common in CCNHA old fields. Their Cutworm larvae are generally nocturnal omnivores cutting off herbaceous growth just above the ground. Species collected include: Feltia jaculifera+, Euxoa detersa+, Xestia dolosa, X. bicarnea+, Anaplectoides prasina, Euretagrotis sigmoides? Other genera include (Agrotis, Peridroma, Spaelotis).

HADENINAE
The Arches include Cutworm and Armyworm larvae. Feeding habits are diverse; some are garden/crop pests. Species collected include: Sideridis congermana?, Polia sp, Lacanobia sp, Lacinipolia renigera, Faronta diffusa, Pseudaletia unipuncta, Leucania sp and Tricholita signata. Other genera include (Orthosia, Trichordestra, Nephelodes).

CUCULLIINAE
The Pinions and Sallows feed primarily on tree foliage. Species collected include Xylena curvimacula (aspen,willow), Eupsilia morrisoni?, Feralia comstocki (pine), and Cucullia asteroides (Solidago). Other genera include (Lithophanes, Eutolype).

AMPHIPYRINAE
The Amphypyrinae feed on grasses and sedges; many are borers, and some are cutworms. Species collected include: Papaipema sp (stem borer), Dipterygia rosmani (Polygonum), Platysenta videns (Asteraceae), Ipimorpha pleonectusa (aspen), Hyppa xylinoides (clover, rose+), Callopistria mollissima(ferns), Amphipyrapyramoides (grape, oak+). Other genera include (Apamea, Crymodes, Agroperina, Oligia, Amphipoea, Achatodes, Chytonix, Galgula, Elaphria, Balso).

AGARISTINAE
These moths are among the more strikingly marked Noctuids, and many are day-fliers. Species collected include Eudryas unio (Oenothera), Psychomorpha epimenis (Vitis), and Alypia octomaculata (Vitis).

HELIOTHINAE
The Heliothinae include the Corn Earworm (Heliothis zeae) and the small, colorful Flower Moths (Schinia spp). Schinia lynx (fleabane), S. arcigera (asters) and S. florida (Oenothera) have been collected. Other Schinias that may occur here include S. lucens (leadplant) and S. gloriosa (Liatris).

ACONTIINAE
Most Acontiinae are small white moths that feed on grasses and Polygonum in marshes. Three commonly encountered species are Lithacodia carneola (Polygonum, Rumex), Tarachidia candefacta and T. erastrioides (ragweed).

NOLINAE
None collected. This subfamily includes the Sorghum Webworm, Nola sp.

SARROTHRIPINAE
Members of this subfamily commonly feed on alder or other Amentiferae. Species collected include Baileya doubledayi?.

EUTELIINAE
None collected. Maranthyssa inficita feeds on sumac.

PLUSIINAE
Most Loopers feed on grasses or sedges; and some are crop/garden pests. They are commonly encountered in CCNHA old fields. Species collected include Autographa sp, Anagrapha falcifera, Trichoplusia ni, Rachiplusia ou, Plusia putnami, P. contexta, P. venusta, P. balluca?

CATOCALINAE
The Owlets and Underwings are known to most people by the forest dwelling Underwings (Catocala spp). Most species feed upon aspen and willow; they can be collected by painting molasses on tree trunks or by light trapping. Catocala spp collected at Cedar Creek include: C. relicta, C. unijuga, C. briseis, C. cara, C. concumbens, C. amatrix (all aspen, willow), C. paleogama (hickory), C. ultronia (cherry), C. praeclara (juneberry), C. similis (oak), C. amica (oak). The Forage loopers Caenurgina crassiuscula and C. erechtea are common in old fields. Other species collected include Zale lunata (tree foliage) and Panopoda sp (oaks).

HYPENINAE
This subfamily includes the Green Clover Worm (Plathypenes scabra). Other genera include (Bomolocha and Spargaloma).

HYPENODINAE
None collected. Hypenodes fractilinea occurs in this subfamily.

RIVULINAE
None collected. Genera include Rivula, Oxycilla, Colobochyla.

HERMENIINAE
Members of this subfamily frequently feed on dry leaf litter. Species collected include: Idia americalis? (lichens) and Renia sp?.