Disclisioprocta stellata – Somber Carpet Moth
Caterpillars were found on Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) on 9/16/2012 and were kept in a 1 gallon plastic container with holes drilled in the top. I added 1 inch of potting soil and fresh Pokeweed leaves. This container was kept in my office which has a constant temperature of around 70 degrees.
9/19/2012 The first one pupated
9/28/2012 The adult moth emerged - a relatively small specimen
9/20/2012 This pic was taken on 9/20 and even though the caterpillar was collected at the same time and was the same size as the one that went the full cycle, it kept growing. It disappeared on 9/21 so I'm guessing it made a pupa under the soil.
9/29/12 The second adult emerged today - it is more of a normal size for this species.
And one more set...
10/17/2012
10/17/2012
11/1/2012
Ken Childs
West Tennessee
Edited by Marcie O'Connor