Lophocampa argentata

Lophocampa argentata, the silver-spotted tiger moth, is a species of moth in the family Erebidae. It was described by Packard in 1864. It is found from British Columbia to southern California, and east to Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and possibly to northern Mexico.

Description
Caterpillars are brown or reddish-brown and very hairy, with bundles of black and yellow hairs along the back. The hairs on caterpillars and pupae can irritate human skin. Adult moths have reddish-brown wings with silvery spots.

Life cycle
Lophocampa argentata produce one generation per year. In mid-summer, moths lay clusters of eggs on needles and small branches. Larvae hatch within around three weeks. Groups of larvae produce tents in their host plants, remaining in the tent through winter and re-emerging in the spring. In the warmer weather, the larvae feed individually before pupating in late spring in brown cocoons attached to plants or on the forest floor.

Distribution and host plants
Larvae of this moth utilize numerous host plants in western North America, generally conifers, and notably the Douglas fir. Larvae feeding on host plant needles can cause defoliation.

Lophocampa argentata is found from British Columbia to southern California, and east to Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and possibly to northern Mexico. The subspecies L. a. subalpina occur in the Rocky Mountain region, where they feed on pinyon and juniper; L. a. sobrina are found in California and feed on Monterey pine.

Subspecies

 * Lophocampa argentata argentata
 * Lophocampa argentata subalpina (French, 1890) (Rocky Mountains, Colorado)
 * Lophocampa argentata sobrina (California)