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Larvae reared ex ova, parent female collected 15
Mar. 2007,
San Antonio Canyon, Los Angeles Co., California. Larvae reared on
catkins of southern live oak, Quercus virginiana, (obviously not
the native host plant). These pulcherrima larvae are notable
among Nemoria for the exceptionally pronounced protuberances
along the mid-dorsal line, which raise the D1 setae to a position well
above the surface of the dorsum (visible on A2 and A3 segments in photo
above at right). Lateral protuberances are very well developed on A1,
A2, A3 and A4 segments, somewhat reduced on A5. The large projections on
the posterior end of the abdomen rising up from the A8 segment bearing
the D1 setae are large
and resemble the scale of similar structures on Nemoria bifilata and certain Dichorda species.
Porter (1986)* notes that the mid-dorsal projections suggest the larval
form of Nemoria pulcherrima is closer to Chlorosea
larvae rather than typical Nemoria.
*Adam H. Porter, "Life History of Nemoria
glaucomarginaria (Barnes & McDunnough) and Larval Taxonomy of the
Tribe Nemoriini (Geometridae: Geometrinae)," J. Lep. Soc.,
40(4), 1986, 304-314. |
