Florida Native Plant Society Blog

There is life after death, indeed. The gopher tortoise shell moth ( Ceratophaga vicinella ) is a species of moth that feeds on the keratin-rich shells of deceased gopher tortoises ( Gopherus polyphemus ), a keystone species in Florida. Tineid moths are one of the least flashy lepidopterans- comprising a large family of 3,000 species. Their drab appearance is eclipsed by their highly unusual dietary preference- fungus and detritus. Many Tineids feed on keratin, a fibrous protein forming the main structural constituent of hair, feathers, hoofs, claws, horns, and even fingernails. Extraction of nutrients from keratin is difficult and not a popular food source in the animal kingdom. The genus Ceratophaga within the Tineids are the only moths that specialize on hardened, dry keratin. The gopher tortoise shell moth is a fascinating cause for conservation. This species is only known to thrive on dead gopher shells- fewer tortoises mean fewer of this species, too. What’s more, these moths need...

The small-eyed sphinx is a large moth with vivid blue eyespots on its yellow and black hindwings. Scientifically known as Paonias myops , it belongs to the Sphingidae (hawk moth) family. It has a broad distribution in North America ranging from southern Canada to almost the west coast. However, the population of this species is best represented in the eastern portion due to its affinity for woodlands. They are widely distributed east of the Cascades in riparian habitats along creeks and rivers at lower elevations, and in mixed hardwood forests at higher elevations. Adults are on wing from June to September in northern states where there are bivoltine (2 generations in a year). In Florida, they are polyvoltine (up to 4) due to warmer conditions. Paonias myops belongs to the Smerinthinae subfamily that is distinguished by their unusual resting position- where the hind wings remain visible while stationed under their forewings. The main body of the moth also has a pleasing curvature- as ...

Ascalapha odorata , commonly known as the black witch, is of special significance to the author. A large bat-shaped, dark-colored nocturnal moth, the black witch ranges from the southern United States to Brazil. It is the largest night owl moth, or owlet moth, in the country. The black witch is more common in South Florida than other parts of the United States- chiefly because it favors tropical climates which makes sightings in the U.S. and Canada a rare treat. Adults are capable of flying great distances. They are known to be blown far north, away from their natural range, during severe weather events. The black witch is a frugivore- a lover of sugar-rich fruit. Adults of Ascalapha odorata feed on overripe rainforest fruit, especially bananas, and larvae consume tender, new leaves of plants. Most of its host plants are legumes (polyphagous on numerous Fabaceae species). It favors Acacia species, Kentucky coffeetree ( Gymnocladus dioicus ) and Locust trees ( Robinia sp.) in summers...

Epimecis hortaria, also known as the Tulip-tree beauty, is one of the largest moth species of the Geometridae family. Found in the Ennominae subfamily (also the largest within Geometridae) this moth is predominantly found in eastern North America ranging from southern Canada to Florida and into Texas. The Geometridae are famous for their inchworm caterpillars, some of which are serious agricultural pests. They can be seen flying from late March to early October in northern states; but in Florida, they can be on wing year round. Adults are nocturnal and are highly attracted to lights, much to the same extreme as imperial moths (a significant detriment to their populations in urban landscapes). It has a wingspan of 43–55 millimeters. There are two forms, one being "Dendraria" and the other being "Carbonaria" which correlate to patterns on their forewings (their subterminal line, specifically) The immature caterpillars can be found feeding on deciduous trees, including...

The Polyphemus moth, scientifically known as Antheraea polyphemus , is a North American member of the family Saturniidae, as known as the giant silk moths. It is a tan-colored moth, with an average wingspan of 15 cm (6 in). The most notable feature of the moth is its large, purplish eyespots on its two hindwings. The center of the eyespots are transparent. These famous eyespots give it its name– from the Greek myth of the cyclops Polyphemus. Though part of the Saturniids much like the Imperial moth, Antheraea’s lineage is different. They come from the subfamily Saturniinae (the Imperial’s is Ceratocampinae, or the royal moths) and specifically the Saturniini tribe. Antheraeas form the tussar silk genus- a wild type of silk that has commercial value especially from its Asian representatives. This North American moth has a widespread range all over subarctic Canada and the United States. The caterpillar is renowned for its insatiable appetite and can eat 86,000 times its weight at emerge...

The Imperial Moth, Eacles imperialis , is a member of the family Saturniidae and subfamily Ceratocampinae. The subfamily has many genera and is characterized by the antennae of males that are quadripectenate (featherlike, with each branch split into two parts) at the basal half or two-thirds of the way up the antenna, with the outer portion simple (not featherlike). Eacles imperialis has a very wide distribution ranging from eastern portions of southern Canada to Argentina. Imperial moths are classified in a section of the giant silkworm family called the royal moths- all of which are brightly colored and native to the New World. Royal moths are robust bodied with lobed wings and hair-like scales. The imperial moth is yellow with spots, lines and splotches of light to dark brown. Imperial moths emerge from the soil in late spring to mate and then die. An adult Imperial moth can live typically for 2-4 weeks and sometimes as long as 6 weeks; it does not eat and solely relies on its fat ...

Moths do not find universal appeal. The common bagworm moth, scientifically known as Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis , belongs to the family Psychidae. There are around 1,300 species of bagworms. Bagworms are the larval stage of certain moth species that damage evergreen and deciduous trees. The name bagworm comes from the fact that the worm-like larvae emerge from bag-like casings. The life cycle of Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis in cooler climates starts when the eggs hatch in the end of May and beginning of June. This species emerges earlier in Florida and can be bivolutine (two generations in a year) in southern regions during warmer years. Once the eggs hatch, the larva spins a silk strand that hangs down it. The larva can also be transported to nearby plants by wind. Once the larva finds a host, it starts to make a new protective bag around itself. It remains inside this bag sticking only its head out to eat from the host. The larva continues feeding until it matures by the end of ...

The household casebearer moth, scientifically known as Phereoeca uterella , belongs to the family Tineidae. A very familiar moth, it is commonly found in households in warm, humid areas. The juvenile caterpillar life stage of this moth resembles a worm-like insect hiding and protected within a flat, gray case. The larvae form a distinctive silk case around themselves for protection and camouflage. The main food source for this species appears to be silk, especially spider webs, but also silk produced by other arthropods including discarded cases from the same species. Larvae also feed on dander and fallen human hair. Wool (but not cotton) is a favored food and the species can be a household pest due to its food sources found indoors. Routine vacuuming and cleaning, utilization of hanging moth traps (glue traps that use pheromones to attract and trap male moths), as well as natural remedies such as a bag filled with fresh garlic cloves near the infested area are known to reduce moth inc...

The tropical sod webworm moth or dark sod webworm (Herpetogramma phaeopteralis) is a small moth in the Crambidae family with a wingspan of about 10-12 millimeters. It is found in the Americas, from the southern United States to Argentina. The larvae feed on a variety of grasses, and are common sight in lawnscapes. Sod webworms have a bivoltine life cycle (two generations in a year) with four stages: egg, larva, pupa and imago (adult). They overwinter as larvae in their final or penultimate instar in the lawn thatch or soil. With the coming of warmer weather, the larvae will pupate, and moths will appear in late spring or early summer. Females deposit eggs on grass blades in the evening, and eggs hatch in 3 to 4 days. Tropical sod webworms develop through six larval instars, pre-pupal and pupal stages over 21 to 47 days, depending on temperature. Multiple generations may occur during a year, especially in south Florida where adults can be found year round. Larvae are cream-colored with ...

The rosy maple moth, or Dryocampa rubicunda, is the diminutive member of the North American moth in the family Saturniidae, also known as the great silk moths. The species is known for its captivating cream or white to bright pink or yellow coloration and fuzzy body. As the common name of the species implies, the preferred host trees are maple trees. Like all other Saturniid moths, the adult moths do not eat: their final metamorphose is to mate. Males have a wingspan of 3.2 to 4.4 centimeters (1.25-1.75 inches); females of 3.8 to 5 centimeters (1.5–2 inches). Adult females lay yellow ovular eggs in groups of 10 to 40 on the underside of maple leaves within 24 hours of mating and eggs hatch after two weeks. The emerging caterpillars are known as the greenstriped mapleworm- a befitting description since they have a green body striped with greenish-bluish shades. Caterpillars have five instars; earlier stages have larger black-colored heads and pale yellow-green bodies with faint stripes....

We're kicking off our National Moth Week posts with a small, pink moth called in inornate pyrausta moth. This should get you used to the unwieldy common names of many moths. The inornate pyrausta moth or southern pink moth, scientifically known as Pyrausta inornatalis , is a species of moth in the family Crambidae. It has a broad distribution in the southern states from Florida to southern California. The pretty moth is categorized as a horticultural budworm as they pupate near the buds of flowers. The inornate pyrausta specializes in salvias, a common genus and a favorite of native plant gardeners. Caterpillars are frequently found at the base of flowers boring holes. The pupa is a filmy cocoon. With a wingspan of 13 millimeters, the forewings of the adult have a pleasant wine red to reddish pink coloration. Hindwings are fuscous (brownish gray) and fringed. Adults are on wing from March to November. Pyraustas are generally known for their alluring pink and yellow colorations. Ho...

We did it! Thank you to the Florida Master Gardener Program Volunteers, Suncoast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society and Hillsborough County Park staff who came out on June 28th to plant 60 native plants of 20 different species. Our native plant garden enhancement was funded by the Viva Florida grant by the Florida Wildflower Foundation . Native plants bring life to the garden and this garden at Lettuce Lake Conservation Park is teeming with birds, butterflies, pollinators and hummingbirds. Lettuce Lake Park Native Plant Garden. Photo: Tia Silvasy, UF/IFAS The main garden area is on the north side of the nature center near the boardwalk entrance to the Hillsborough River. The site receives part sun and is occasionally moist. Thanks to previous work led by Tina Patterson of the Suncoast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society , the site is already well-established with a variety of native plants and interpretive signage showing the ecological benefits of each plant species...

Applications are open now for the competitive FNPS Landscape Awards State of Florida, July 5, 2023.-- The Florida Native Plant Society board and volunteers are gearing up to accept applications for the 2023 landscape awards. Gardeners, businesses, government agencies, HOA’s, and community groups are invited to apply for the annual awards. Professionals and amateurs can showcase a landscaped project or their own garden. The 2023 awards underwent some revamping to streamline the categories and highlight sustainable garden practices. Applications can be found at the Florida Native Plant Society website, fnps.org. Deadline for submissions is August 31, 2023. Winners will be announced on October 1, 2023, to kick off Florida Native Plant month in October across the state. Categories include single-family residence, multi-family and non-residential sites, butterfly or wildflower gardens, and restoration projects. One first place “Native Garden of Excellence” may be awarded in each category an...