User:Catwood13/sandbox calyptracanadensis

Calyptra canadensis, also referred to as Meadow Rue Owlet moth, is a moth of the family Erebidae. It is found from Nova Scotia to North Carolina in mountains, west to Texas, north to Saskatchewan. Occasionally straying to Alberta. This moth species from the Calyptra genus is unique as it is the only Calyptra specie to habitat North America

The wingspan is 33–40 mm. The moth flies from June to September depending on the location.

Feeding Behavior
It is speculated that the adult stage of C. canadensis is an obligate fruit consumer as little of their feeding behavior is known. This is concluded based on feeding behaviors by other members of the Calyptra genus. Only 10 of 17 known Calyptra species are facultative blood feeders. Moths of each polyphagic species are exclusively male. By consuming blood, the males are obtaining up to 95% of their sodium intake as well as proteins, sugars, and amino acids which potentially increases their fitness. Sodium is transferred to females during mating which aides in egg production

Caterpillar Morphology
During their larval stage, C. canadensis chosen host plant is the Meadow Rue (belonging to the Thalictrum genus) which commonly grows across northeast and central North America. The caterpillar stages (referred to as instars) were documented by rearing their young in lab under observation since their egg stage. The main observation is that C. canadensis larvae are heterochromatic and will change colors throughout their development.

Their morphology through stages follows:

Egg Morphology: Lengthwise ridges with an overall spherical shape.

Instar 1 Bright green larvae.

Instar 2 Bright green with development of dark spotting and bands throughout the abdomen.

Instar 3 Band development ceases and disappears; spotting is more visible. Head color is transitioning from light green to yellow with spotting occurring.

Instar 4 & 5 The caterpillar body is now heterochromatic with it's body bisecting yellow (including and above spiracles) with even, dark blotching across its entire head, thorax, and abdomen. Their underside is completely black and begins under spiracles.

In agreement with Dyar's Law, it was observed that C. canadensis average head capsule width increased by ratio 1.71 during each stage. At the beginning of instar stage 1, the average size of head capsule was reported to be 0.30 mm in width and octupled to 2.40 mm by instar stage 5, around the time C. canadensis larvae begin to pupate. Pupation can occur approximately between 4-6 weeks of age but largely depends on the environment and food access for the caterpillars. Individual larvae build their cocoons on the ground using material such as dead leaves or other dry plant material in order to pupate.

Development to adult stage can take 8 weeks to occur.

Reproduction
Mating season can occur longer than normal during warmer temperatures.