Insects of Interest

Two-tailed Swallowtail

                                       
                             Larva of a two-tailed swallowtail butterfly.                                                     Adult
                                  Photo: Cheyenne Urban Forestry                                     Photo: Paul A. Opler through
                                                                                                                      USGS Butterflies of Wyoming

Around Cheyenne, the larvae stage eats the leaves on ash and chokecherry. The adult stage feeds on nectar from flowers. No controls are necessary or desirable.

A Tussock Moth

                                   
            About ten tussock moth larvae, Dasychira spp? or Lophocampa spp? were found feeding on a willow shrub along Dry Creek in                                                                          Cheyenne on September 16, 2004.

Pupal case after the moth has emerged

This is the adult of this species of a tussock moth, which emerged from the pupal case February 3, 2005. Entered pupa stage late September 2004. Over-wintered inside with constant temperatures above 65 degrees F.
The larvae and adult are very similar in appearance to Spotted Tussock Moth
Lophocampa maculata (Harris 1841)

Presently, the insect does not appear to be a problem or to become a problem. If we had numerous willow shrubs along the creeks the insect could become a problem. This tussock moth species is a fairly selective feeder, primarily on willow. The word "tussock" is a descriptive term meaning a clump or tuft, in this case the white tufts of "hair" in the black areas of the larvae, as seen above in the top left photo. This insect is not related to Douglas-fir tussock moth, also a relatively specific feeder, which has been a problem in Cheyenne, causing significant damage to spruce trees.

Links:

Colorado State University Cooperative Extension

University of Wyoming - Cooperative Extension Service, publication B-1035 is particularly helpful for tree care. This online publication contains information on: Aphids, Borers, Cottonwood blotch leaf miners, Cytospora canker, Fireblight, Gall makers, Aspen leaf spots, Oystershell scale, Pear slugs, Powdery mildew, and Spider mites.