#phosphila

[calosoma-amitch]

Turbulent phosphila (Phosphila turbulenta) caterpillars. Fishers Island NY, August 2018.

As mentioned in a previous post, younger molts (instars) of the turbulent phosphila will gather (aggregate) to feed on their host plant. This group was perhaps 30 ft from the late instars, likely from separate parents.

[calosoma-amitch]

Turbulent phosphila (Phosphila turbulenta) caterpillars. Fishers Island NY, August 2018. At younger molts, Turbulent phosphila tend to be gregarious, feeding together in large groups. As they mature into their final molts, however, they become solitary feeders. Their adult form is a mottled brown, mimicking the appearance of tree bark to hide during the day.

Caterpillars in this genus feed exclusively on greenbriar (Smilax spp.), and can be found in large numbers where the vines grow thick, usually on the undersides of leaves.

One generation in the Mid-Atlantic. Caterpillars are abundant by mid-summer.

[calosoma-amitch]

Spotted Phosphila (Phosphila miselioides), Newark DE. September 2017.

Caterpillars of the spotted phosphila feed exclusively on greebrier (Smilax spp.) in the eastern US, and can be found on forest edges and woodlots where the vines grow in abundance. Other species in this genus are also specialists on greenbrier, and can even be seen feeding on the same plant, but the spotted phospila prefers to feed on new growth. When startled, caterpillars will curl themselves up, retract their head into their thorax, and press their heads down to avoid harm. 

One generation in the Mid-Atlantic, but at least two “broods” appearing in the summer. Caterpillars common in late spring and into autumn. Caterpillars overwinter as pupae. 

[calosoma-amitch]

Turbulent phosphila (Phosphila turbulenta) caterpillars. Fishers Island NY, July 2017. At younger molts, Turbulent phosphila tend to be gregarious, feeding together in large groups. As they mature into their final molts, however, they become solitary feeders. Their adult form is a mottled brown, mimicking the appearance of tree bark to hide during the day. 

Caterpillars in this genus feed exclusively on greenbriar (Smilax spp.), and can be found in large numbers where the vines grow thick, usually on the undersides of leaves. 

One generation in the Mid-Atlantic. Caterpillars are abundant by mid-summer.

[h0m0less]

Poor bitch tipped over. Turbulent Phosphila Moth Caterpillar (Phosphila turbulenta).

[calosoma-amitch]

Turbulent phosphila (Phosphila turbulenta) caterpillars. Fishers Island, NY, July 2014.  Another black-and-white caterpillar, turbulent phosphila tend to be gregarious. That is, they gather in large groups, especially when it’s time to feed. As caterpillars, they are very pretty, but their adult form is more drab in comparison.  Many caterpillars are specialists--that is, they can only feed on plants of a specific family, genus, or even a single species. Turbulent phosphilas are specialists on greenbriars (Smilax), and can be found in large numbers where the vines grow.  One generation in the Mid-Atlantic. Caterpillars are abundant by mid-summer.