Yellow-shouldered slug moth

Description:

This stray, of a cup moth appeared on the moth sheet in the night. The caterpillars of these moths many of times have parasitoids. Their presence can be determined before emergence by a black spot formed by the breathing siphon of the fly. This moth has a little bit of orange iridescence on the fore wings, following with some silver designs, and scent patches on the hindwings, that indicate that this is a male. Males are significantly smaller than females.

Habitat:

In my garden, Fort Worth, Texas (Tarrant co.) At mercury vapor light sheet, New moon.

Notes:

The caterpillar of this moth eats a variety of deciduous trees and shrubs, such as apple, beech, birch, blueberry, cherry, chestnut, hickory, honey locust, hornbeam, linden, maple, oak, and willow. This moth can be found once in a while with proper equipment, but is not the most common here. NMW 2020