Environmental Entomology (1984) 13, 45-51

James D. Hansen, John A. Ludwig, John C. Owens and Ellis W. Huddleston (1984)
Motility, feeding, and molting in larvae of the range caterpillar, Hemileuca oliviae (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae)
Environmental Entomology 13 (1), 45-51
Abstract: Motility, feeding, and molting in larvae of the range caterpillar, Hemileuca oliviae Cockerell (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae), were studied at two sites in northern New Mexico. Diurnal observations were made each week during 2 successive days from hatch to pupation (May to September 1979). The behavior of all six instars was compared to determine temporal periodicities and habitat relationships. The motility of the larvae increased with their development. Larvae hatched from their egg masses in shrubs and forbs and moved into grass habitats. The 6th instars were most active just before pupation when they returned to woody plants to pupate. Larval resting periods were from late morning through the late afternoon. Heights of larval resting sites were positively correlated with air temperature and negatively related to wind speed. Preferred host plants were the grasses side-oats grama, Bouteloua curtipendula (Michx.) Torn, and blue grama, Bouteloua gracilis (H.B.K.) Lag. The greatest frequency of feeding was just before pupation. No diurnal periodicities were found for feeding and molting. Pupation sites were significantly lower than molting sites.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): James D. Hansen

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution
environment - cropping system/rotation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Hemileuca oliviae	Bouteloua (crop)	U.S.A. (SW)