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How to Identify the Cycnia Tenera Caterpillar

The dogbane tiger moth (Cycnia tenera), also called the delicate cycnia, is broadly distributed in the United States. Adult moths are recognized by their white wings and a smattering of gold about their head, wing base and legs. They are notable for their habit of issuing ultrasonic calls to communicate with one another and in response to the echolocation of hunting bats, which some studies suggest are confused by the moth's clicks. Caterpillars of the dogbane tiger moth are as pale and striking-looking as the adults and feed heavily on the toxic shrub that gives the species its name. Adults will lay up to 60 eggs on the ventral side of dogbane leaves; after growing through several molts, the caterpillars will eventually spin cocoons of silk and their own hair-like setae to metamorphose.

Things You'll Need

Magnifying glass

Instructions

- 1
  Look for the caterpillar's characteristic coloration. While some related species of tiger moth manifest as brightly colored and contrastingly patterned caterpillars, the dogbane tiger moth larvae is typically uniformly pale gray. The tips of the setae are often lighter than the bases, creating a subtle gradation of color in the caterpillar's coat.
- 2
  Note the caterpillar's distribution and density of setae. The famous "woolly bear" caterpillars are the larvae of tiger moths, and the dogbane tiger moth caterpillar shows a similar hairiness. The setae typically sprout in bunched fashion from basal nodes so that the caterpillar has a bristly appearance.
- 3
  Associate the dogbane tiger moth's caterpillar with its favored food plants. Along with dogbane itself and related shrubs, the larvae are often encountered feasting on milkweed (the main host of monarch butterfly caterpillars).
- 4
  Look for the caterpillars in typical habitat. Like the adults, they are commonly found in open country, like meadows, old fields and roadside strips--with the distribution of food plants, of course, the most important determinant.

Insects & Science