Insects
Moths (Lepidoptera)
Noctuoid moths (except Arctiinae)
Sighting 4502412

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Identification history

Erebidae (family) 2 Aug 2023 donhe
Unverified 1 Aug 2023 KMcCue

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User's notes

It was on an old fence paling I was sawing up, tiny, same gray colour.

5 comments

donhe wrote:
   1 Aug 2023
A hairy looper. I think the loopers of Geometridae and Noctuidae are smooth, so this is probably from Erebidae. I do hope you can rear it to an adult moth to get a species ID.
KMcCue wrote:
   2 Aug 2023
Sorry Don
Had no idea what food plant it would need.
donhe wrote:
   2 Aug 2023
Judging from where you found it, and the feeding habits of other Erebidae larvae like the Lithosiini, there is a fair chance it feeds on algae and lichens. Can you find some old twigs with stuff like that on them?
KMcCue wrote:
   2 Aug 2023
Given that info I might have been able to find some, it was in the wood pile, but now the larvae has gone. I'll have a look for another.
donhe wrote:
   2 Aug 2023
You should never leave a good caterpillar in the wild. It is a virtual death sentence. If a moth lays 200 eggs (many lay more) in a stable population, on average only 2 will survive to procreate. The caterpillar survival rate in the wild is about 1% .

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Sighting information

Additional information

  • 5mm to 12mm Animal size
  • Larvae Breeding behaviour
  • Alive / healthy Animal health

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  • Verified by an expert moderator
  • Nearby sighting(s) of same species
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