Lapara coniferarum

Common Name(s): Southern Pine Sphinx

Ecology:

Adult description:
This is a fairly variable medium sized moth with forewings 28-40mm in length (2). The overall appearance of this moth is gray. There is brown on the lower edge of the forewing. In Lapara bombycoides, there is significantly less brown, or no brown on the lower edge of the forewing. This species tends to have minimal markings on the wings, with generally only one black streak in the middle of the forewing. In Lapara bombycoides, the forewings are usually well marked with brown and gray and it usually has two black lines. Along the gulf coast, this species can also be confused with Lapara phaeobrachycerous which is somewhat darker and generally less marked (2). Lapara phaeobrachycerous also has shorter antennae than this species (16).

Larval description:
L5: The larva is overall green in color and has multiple sets of white lines running down the entire length (from head to anal plate) with an orange head capsule. There are variable amounts of brown and red on the larva. The only difference between this species and Lapara bombycoides as larva are the presence of orange thoracic legs. This larva is identical to Lapara phaeobrachycerous the only difference being the spiracles. In Lapara coniferarum the spiracles are solid black, in Lapara phaeobrachycerous the spiracles are black with an orange center (1).

Host plants:

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L5 (C) Teá Kesting-Handly

The gallery to the left contains photos of Lapara coniferarum adults. If you have a photo that you would like to submit to us, please contact us.

The gallery to the right contains photos of Lapara coniferarum larval and pupal stages. If you have a photo that you would like to submit to us, please contact us.