The
Lasiocampidae family of
mothA moth is an insect closely related to the butterfly, both being of the order Lepidoptera. The differences between butterflies and moths are more than just taxonomy. Sometimes the names "Rhopalocera" and "Heterocera" are used to formalize the popular distinction...
s are also known as
eggars,
snout moths or
lappet moths. There are over 2000 species worldwide, and probably not all have been named or studied.
Their common name 'snout moths' comes from their unique protruding mouth parts of some species that resemble a large nose. They are called 'lappet moths' due to the decorative skin flaps found on the caterpillar's prolegs.
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The
Lasiocampidae family of
mothA moth is an insect closely related to the butterfly, both being of the order Lepidoptera. The differences between butterflies and moths are more than just taxonomy. Sometimes the names "Rhopalocera" and "Heterocera" are used to formalize the popular distinction...
s are also known as
eggars,
snout moths or
lappet moths. There are over 2000 species worldwide, and probably not all have been named or studied.
Their common name 'snout moths' comes from their unique protruding mouth parts of some species that resemble a large nose. They are called 'lappet moths' due to the decorative skin flaps found on the caterpillar's prolegs. The name 'eggars' comes from the neat egg-shaped cocoons of some species.
CaterpillarCaterpillars are the larval form of a member of the order Lepidoptera . They are mostly phytophagous in food habit, with some species being entomophagous. Caterpillars are voracious feeders and many of them are considered pests in agriculture...
s of this family are large in size and are most often hairy, especially on their sides. Most have skin flaps on their prolegs and a pair of
dorsalIn anatomy, the dorsum is the upper side of animals that typically run, fly, or swim in a horizontal position, and the back side of animals that walk upright. In vertebrates the dorsum contains the backbone. The term dorsal refers to anatomical structures that are either situated toward or grow...
glandA gland is an organ in an animal's body that synthesizes a substance for release such as hormones or breast milk, often into the bloodstream or into cavities inside the body or its outer surface .- Types :...
s on their
abdomenIn vertebrates such as mammals the abdomen constitutes the part of the body between the thorax and pelvis. The region enclosed by the abdomen is termed the abdominal cavity...
. They feed on leaves of many different trees and shrubs and often use these same plants to
camouflageCamouflage is a method of crypsis that allows an otherwise visible organism or object to remain indiscernible from the surrounding environment through deception. Examples include a tiger's stripes and the battledress of a modern soldier...
their cocoons. Some species are called Tent caterpillars due to their habit of living together in nests spun of silk.
As adults, the moths in this family are large bodied with broad wings and may still have the characteristic elongated mouth parts, or have reduced mouthparts and not feed as adults. They are either
diurnalDiurnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the day and sleeping at night. Animals that are not diurnal might be nocturnal or crepuscular . Many animal species are diurnal, including many mammals, insects and birds...
or
nocturnalNocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The opposite, diurnality, is associated with human lifestyle and most familiar animal species. The intermediate crepuscular schedule is also common. Some species are active both during...
. Females lay a large number of eggs which are flat in appearance and either smooth or slightly pitted. In tent caterpillars, the eggs are deposited in masses and covered with a material that hardens in air. Females are generally larger and slower than the males, but the sexes otherwise resemble each other. Moths are typically brown or grey, with hairy legs and bodies.
Taxa
Subfamily Macromphalinae
- Euglyphis lankesteri
- Larch moth, Tolype laricis
- Tolype dayi
- Velleda lappet moth, or Large Tolype Tolype velleda
- Titya synoecura
Subfamily
GastropachinaeGastropachinae is a subfamily of the moth family Lasiocampidae....
- American lappet moth, Phyllodesma americana
- Riley's lappet moth, Heteropacha rileyana
Subfamily
LasiocampinaeLasiocampinae is a subfamily of the moth family Lasiocampidae....
- Eastern tent caterpillar
The Eastern tent caterpillar is a univoltine, social species that forms communal nest in the branches of trees. It is sometimes confused with the gypsy moth, or the fall webworm and may be erroneously referred to as a bagworm which is the common name applied to unrelated caterpillars in the family...
, Malacosoma americanum
- Forest tent caterpillar
The forest tent caterpillar is the larva of a North American moth, found throughout the United States and Canada, and most common in the eastern regions....
, Malacosoma disstrium
- Western tent caterpillar
The Western Tent Caterpillar is a moth of the family Lasiocampidae. It is found in the Western part of the Nearctic ecozone.The wingspan is ca. 28 mm.The larvae feed on various decideous trees, such as Oak and Poplar....
, Malacosoma californicum
Genera
incertae sedisIncertae sedis , abbreviated "inc. sed.", is a term used to define a taxonomic group where its broader relationships are unknown or undefined.-Examples:The taxonomy for humans is usually recognized as follows:...
- Trabala
Trabala is a genus of Moth in the family Lasiocampidae....
- Nesara
See also the list of Lasiocampid genera
External links