torrefacta (J.E. Smith, 1797) (: ) in Louisiana by Vernon Antoine Brou Jr., 74320 Jack Loyd Road, Abita Springs, Louisiana 70420 email: [email protected]

a b c

d e f

Fig.1. A. torrefacta pairs of phenotypes representing some brood variations: (a - c) males, (d - f) females.

The fairly common (J.E.Smith) (Fig. 1) occurs across Louisiana, though I have only ten parishes listed in my records (Fig. 6). Franclemont (1973) reported on two species of the Apatelodes known to occur north of Mexico; with torrefacta occurring from Ontario and New England to Florida and west to the Plains and eastern Texas. Franclemont also reported that torrefacta is double brooded in the south. In Louisiana, torrefacta appears to have five annual broods, the first peaking third week of April, the second about June 1, and subsequent broods at approximate 30-day intervals (Fig. 4). The unique larvae are illustrated in Fig. 2 & 5. Larvae can be bright white, off white or dull yellow with all variations occurring

a c

b d

Fig. 2. Late instar larvae of A. torrefacta on Asimina triloba (L.),: a, b, c. side view, d. ventral view. 16 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

8 number of adults 0 Fig 4. A. torrefacta adults captured at sec.24T6SR12E, 4.2 mi NE of Abita Springs, Louisiana. n = 755 within the same batch of ova. I have found larvae numerous times feeding upon leaves of (paw paw)Asimina triloba (L.) at the Abita Springs study site, Soule (1889) reported rearing torrefacta on Sassafras, and (beach plum and cherry) with reports of larval colors similar to that I have outlined here.

a

b

Fig. 6. Parish records.

Literature cited

Franclemont, J.G. in Dominick,R.B., et al., 1973. The of America North of Mexico, Fasc. 20.1 Mimallonoidea; Bombycoidae (part). Soule, C. G. 1889. Description of Eggs and Larva of Apatelodes Figs. 5a, b. Dorsal views, prepupal stage. Torrefacta,. Psyche, 5, no. 153, pp. 148-149. 0 1-Jan 0 0 0 n = 755 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 0 1-Feb 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 0 1-Mar 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 2 1 1 2 4 1 16 2 1-Apr 7 3 3 5 3 9 5 9 6 9 5 3 6 5 7 5 12 14 10 8 9 7 9 7 4 2 7 7 9 16 6 1-May 7 6 5 13 5 2 1 2 5 5 3 4 3 1 5 5 4 5 6 4 4 2 4 4 6 3 8 11 6 3 16 7 1-Jun 3 5 2 2 10 7 4 5 4 5 7 7 4 1 2 3 1 4 1 4 3 3 5 3 3 3 5 3 4 16 2 1-Jul 3 3 2 3 2 4 3 2 2 3 4 5 3 2 4 5 6 4 4 7 6 4 4 4 4 7 4 6 3 4 16 4 1-Aug 4 10 7 6 9 8 3 4 6 5 0 3 2 5 6 3 7 3 3 5 2 1 2 3 4 2 2 3 3 1 16 2 1-Sep 1 2 4 2 1 1 3 1 2 3 0 0 2 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 16 0 Oct. 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 0 1-Nov 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 0 1-Dec 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0