Lochmaeus manteo
Encyclopedia
The Variable Oakleaf Caterpillar Moth (Lochmaeus manteo) is a moth
of the Notodontidae
family. It is found in eastern North America
.
The wingspan
is 37-50 mm. Adults are on wing from April to October.
The larvae feed on various deciduous trees, especially Quercus species. The larva can spray formic acid which is reported to cause blisters or severely irritate human skin.
Moth
A moth is an insect closely related to the butterfly, both being of the order Lepidoptera. Moths form the majority of this order; there are thought to be 150,000 to 250,000 different species of moth , with thousands of species yet to be described...
of the Notodontidae
Notodontidae
Notodontidae is a family of moths with approximately 3,500 known species. Moths of this family are found in all parts of the world, but they are most concentrated in tropical areas, especially in the New World...
family. It is found in eastern North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
.
The wingspan
Wingspan
The wingspan of an airplane or a bird, is the distance from one wingtip to the other wingtip. For example, the Boeing 777 has a wingspan of about ; and a Wandering Albatross caught in 1965 had a wingspan of , the official record for a living bird.The term wingspan, more technically extent, is...
is 37-50 mm. Adults are on wing from April to October.
The larvae feed on various deciduous trees, especially Quercus species. The larva can spray formic acid which is reported to cause blisters or severely irritate human skin.