ENT 532 Fall 2024: Image of Noctuidae caterpillar on goldenrod (Solidago sp.)

Observing insects along a path through the woods, I came across a caterpillar (Noctuidae) on a goldenrod (Solidago sp.) plant. The plant was one of seven or eight goldenrod plants in a sparse patch on the side of the path. I was surprised to see goldenrod at all, as the area was densely wooded and didn’t seem to receive a lot of light. This made me wonder how adult moths choose where to lay their eggs. Do they evaluate the quantity of potential food in an area before ovipositing? How far can they fly to find a suitable site? This particular patch of goldenrod did not seem like it could support many caterpillars and was isolated from any other patches of potential food. The caterpillar was on the plant’s stem, under the base of a leaf, which I suspect is a strategic location to avoid being seen by predators. I removed it from the stem, which required more force than I expected. When I held it and observed the ventral side, I noticed its prolegs expanding and contracting, making small hook-like structures at the end visible. When I allowed it to walk on my hand, I could feel these hooks slightly and it was well-attached; even when I turned my hand upside down and shook it, the caterpillar did not fall off.

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Work Title ENT 532 Fall 2024: Image of Noctuidae caterpillar on goldenrod (Solidago sp.)
Access
Open Access
Creators
  1. Ella Messner
Keyword
  1. Noctuidae
  2. Goldenrod
License CC0 1.0 (Public Domain Dedication)
Work Type Image
Publication Date September 24, 2024
DOI doi:10.26207/pb1z-2m50
Geographic Area
  1. Shingletown Gap, Harris Township, Pennsylvania, USA
Deposited September 24, 2024

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Version 1
published

  • Created
  • Updated
  • Updated Keyword, Geographic Area, Description, and 1 more Show Changes
    Keyword
    • Noctuidae, Goldenrod
    Geographic Area
    • Shingletown Gap, Harris Township, Pennsylvania, USA
    Description
    • Observing insects along a path through the woods, I came across a caterpillar (Noctuidae) on a goldenrod (Solidago sp.) plant. The plant was one of seven or eight goldenrod plants in a sparse patch on the side of the path. I was surprised to see goldenrod at all, as the area was densely wooded and didn’t seem to receive a lot of light. This made me wonder how adult moths choose where to lay their eggs. Do they evaluate the quantity of potential food in an area before ovipositing? How far can they fly to find a suitable site? This particular patch of goldenrod did not seem like it could support many caterpillars and was isolated from any other patches of potential food. The caterpillar was on the plant’s stem, under the base of a leaf, which I suspect is a strategic location to avoid being seen by predators. I removed it from the stem, which required more force than I expected. When I held it and observed the ventral side, I noticed its prolegs expanding and contracting, making small hook-like structures at the end visible. When I allowed it to walk on my hand, I could feel these hooks slightly and it was well-attached; even when I turned my hand upside down and shook it, the caterpillar did not fall off.
    Publication Date
    • 2024-09-24
  • Added Creator Ella Messner
  • Added ENT532 Noctuidae.jpg
  • Updated License Show Changes
    License
    • http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/
  • Published
  • Updated
  • Updated Work Title Show Changes
    Work Title
    • ENT532: Image of Noctuidae caterpillar on goldenrod (Solidago sp.)
    • ENT 532 Fall 2024: Image of Noctuidae caterpillar on goldenrod (Solidago sp.)