White-blotched heterocampa

Forests and Woodlands

Forests and Woodlands

When attempting to trap white-blotched heterocampa, it is useful to know their preferred food sources depending on the life stage. In the caterpillar stage, they may be attracted to the leaves of specific host plants, whereas adult white-blotched heterocampa might be lured with light traps during their active flight times due to their attraction to light sources.

The eggs of white-blotched heterocampa are typically deposited on the foliage of deciduous trees such as oaks and maples. Once hatched, the larvae, or caterpillars, can be found munching on leaves, camouflaged among the greenery. To find them, one must check the undersides of leaves for their presence. As they transition to pupae, they often descend to the ground to form cocoons in leaf litter or just beneath the soil surface, so searching through forest floor debris during this stage is key. Adult white-blotched heterocampa moths are nocturnal and are attracted to light, so they are best located at night using light traps. During the day, they rest on tree trunks or wooden structures, blending in with the bark.

The most suitable time to find white-blotched heterocampa varies with its life cycle stage. Adult white-blotched heterocampa is typically nocturnal and can be best located during the night, while caterpillars may be more easily found during daylight hours when they are actively feeding on host plants.

The suitable weather to find white-blotched heterocampa often includes mild to warm temperatures and low wind conditions that favor the activity of caterpillars and flight of adult moths. Heavy rain or extreme temperatures may decrease the likelihood of locating white-blotched heterocampa.