Source: UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS submitted to
A STUDY OF THE URTICATING CATERPILLARS OF MIDWESTERN FORESTS
 
PROJECT DIRECTOR: Appleby, J. E.
 
PERFORMING ORGANIZATION
NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
URBANA,IL 61801
 
NON TECHNICAL SUMMARY: There have been no investigations to examine the species of urticating caterpillars in the Midwest. A colored photographic record of the urticating larvae of Illinois would be very valuable to dermatologists when making diagnoses of patients that may have been stung (Tice 2001). With increased interest in forest activities both for commercial and recreational purposes there is more likelihood of human contact with urticating caterpillars. Such contacts can be very painful and in some cases require medical attention.
 
OBJECTIVES: 1. Determine aspects of the life histories, distribution, and larval host plants of the urticating caterpillars of Illinois and report the results in scientific journals and national meetings. 2. Produce a colored photographic slide record of the larval stages of Illinois urticating caterpillars. 3. Publish and distribute a colored poster of the urticating caterpillars of Illinois.
 
APPROACH: Monthly from June through September at selected sites in northern, central, and southern Illinois, field surveys for adult and immature stages will be conducted. Data will be recorded as to the location, date, and host plants for each specimen. The collected specimens will be individually reared on host foliage in plastic containers (6 cm diameter, 10 cm deep) in a laboratory. Colored slide photographs of the larval forms and reared adult stages will be taken. Gravid female moths that may be collected from ultraviolet light traps during the field surveys will be placed individually in plastic rearing containers with host plant foliage. Measurements and descriptions will be made of the egg and various larval stages of each species studied. Adult moths of the selected species are sometimes part of the general moth collections in museums. To obtain past Illinois distribution records, data will be recorded from specimens examined at the Chicago Field Museum and the Illinois Natural History Survey.
 
CRIS NUMBER: 0189828 SUBFILE: CRIS
PROJECT NUMBER: ILLU-875-311-T SPONSOR AGENCY: CSREES
PROJECT TYPE: MCINTIRE-STENNIS PROJECT STATUS: TERMINATED MULTI-STATE PROJECT NUMBER: (N/A)
START DATE: Oct 1, 2001 TERMINATION DATE: Sep 30, 2005

GRANT PROGRAM: (N/A)
GRANT PROGRAM AREA: (N/A)

CLASSIFICATION
Knowledge Area (KA)Subject (S)Science (F)Objective (G)Percent
123319911306.3100%

CLASSIFICATION HEADINGS
KA123 - Management and Sustainability of Forest Resources
S3199 - Invertebrates, general/other
F1130 - Entomology and acarology
G6.3 - Protect and Manage Forests and Rangelands


RESEARCH EFFORT CATEGORIES
BASIC 100%
APPLIED (N/A)%
DEVELOPMENTAL (N/A)%

KEYWORDS: insect larvae; forest insects; stinging (insects); forest management; life history; geographic distribution; host plants; information dissemination; insect identification; field studies; insect collection; data collection; adults; lepidoptera; measurement

PROGRESS: Oct 1, 2001 TO Sep 30, 2005
During the course of this study conducted in the Midwest, the following twelve species of caterpillars were found with stinging spines: Adoneta spinuloides, Automeris io, Euclea delphinii, Isa textula, Megalopyge opercularis, Natada nasoni, Norape ovina, Packardia geminata, Parasa chloris, Parasa indetermina, Phobetron pithecium, and Sibine stimulea. All of the species were found to feed on tree foliage with redbud as the most common tree host. Other common hosts were red, white, and black oaks, hickory, elm, and black locust. For each species studied, records were kept on how long during the growing season the caterpillar stages were present on the host trees. Colored photographs were taken of the caterpillar stage of all the species. The arm skin of a human subject was rubbed with the spines of Sibine stimulea and the enduring pain sensations recorded. Colored photographs were taken to show the typical skin symptoms after being exposed to the stinging spines. A web page is being designed to show in color the mature caterpillar of each of the species studied with information as to tree hosts and when during the growing season the caterpillar stages may be present. Skin symptoms will also be shown on the web page and an explanation of the pain sensations endured during an encounter. A colored poster depicting the same information will be published and distributed to selected dermatologists in the United States. This information will be of value to dermatologists who are often unaware of the different kinds of stinging caterpillars present in their area. The information should also be of value to foresters, nurserymen, hikers and those involved in forest recreational activities to make them aware of the caterpillars, and when during the growing season the caterpillars may be present on tree foliage.

IMPACT: 2001-10-01 TO 2005-09-30 There have been no investigations to examine the species of stinging caterpillars in the Midwest. A colored photographic record of the stinging caterpillars would be very valuable to dermatologists when making diagnoses of patients that may have been stung (Tice 2001). With increased interest in forest activities both for commercial and recreational purposes there is more likelihood of human contact with stinging caterpillars. Such contacts can be very painful and in some cases require medical attention. Caterpillars with stinging spines occur in forests throughout the Midwest. This study should provide information for those engaged in forest activities to know what months of the year the caterpillars are active, and how to recognize the caterpillars in order to avoid contact.

PUBLICATION INFORMATION: 2001-10-01 TO 2005-09-30
No publications reported this period

PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION
NAME: Appleby, J. E.
PHONE: 217-244-3431
FAX: 217-244-3219