The Seiracrctia Echo Moth on the Carlton Union Building at Stetson University's DeLand, FL campus.

Seirarctia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Erebidae
Subfamily: Arctiinae
Subtribe: Spilosomina
Genus: Seirarctia
Packard, 1864
Species:
S. echo
Binomial name
Seirarctia echo
(J. E. Smith, 1797)
Synonyms
  • Phalaena echo Smith, 1797
  • Spilosoma niobe Strecker, 1885

Seirarctia is a monotypic moth genus in the subfamily Arctiinae erected by Alpheus Spring Packard in 1864. Its single species, Seirarctia echo, the echo moth, was first described by James Edward Smith in 1797. It is found in North America, where it has been recorded from Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi.[1] The habitat consists of thickets, scrubwoods and open areas.

The wingspan is about 45 mm.[2]

The larvae feed on various woody plants, including coontie, cabbage palmetto, crotons, lupine, oak and persimmon.[3]

Caterpillars

The caterpillar form of the seirarctia echo, eating leaves at Stetson University's DeLand, FL campus.
A Seirarctia Echo caterpillar eating shrubbery

At Stetson University's DeLand, FL campus, many of the Seirarctia echo can be seen in their caterpillar stage. Colloquially referred to as "Haterpillars[4]" (a reference to the school mascot), these caterpillars are well known by students due to their frequent sightings in the summer, fall, and late spring. Although less frequent, the moths are also occasionally spotted.

References

  1. ↑ Savela, Markku. "Seirarctia Packard, 1864". Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  2. ↑ "930308.00 – 8130 – Seirarctia echo – Echo Moth – (Smith, 1797)". North American Moth Photographers Group. Mississippi State University. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  3. ↑ Tony-2 (July 24, 2018). "Species Seirarctia echo - Echo Moth - Hodges#8130". BugGuide. Retrieved September 28, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ↑ Stetson University [@StetsonU] (March 12, 2013). "They're baaaaack... Spring's here! #spring #caterpillar #caterpillars #hatterpillar #hatterpillars @… http://t.co/IYqeSJ44I4" (Tweet). Retrieved June 14, 2021 – via Twitter.


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