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