Found a Wild Smerinthus ophthalmica Second Instar

Today we found a second instar Smerinthus ophthalmica caterpillar on willow (Salix) at Canyon Trail Park (El Cerrito, CA). 

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After discovering a ridiculous amount of eggs and caterpillars at Tilden Regional Park, as well as a handful of eggs at Albany Hill, late this afternoon we decided quickly check Canyon Trail Park which also has a stand of pipevine (Aristolochia californica). The last time we had come we had observed a male pipevine flying about so we expected that by now, there would be a fairly good chance that there would be eggs or even young larvae. Although we did observe another adult flying about today, we were wrong about finding the eggs. However, while taking a casual look at one of the willow (Salix) trees growing in full sun next to the creek to get feeder cuttings, we found a second instar Smerinthus ophthalmica completely by accident!  

The branch that the caterpillar was located on was on the lower side of the plant and it appeared as though it hadn't gone far from its hatching place because we found a hatched egg very nearby on the same cutting. Once again we were thoroughly surprised at just how common these moths must be here, wherever there is willow. Having already found a wild stock on one occasion last year and three other occasions this year, it has really secured our chances of getting some more eggs later this year without even necessarily having to inbreed our rely on calling in a dozen wild males (probably not possible).   

What is sort of surprising is how close in age that our four different catches this month are. This second instar is possibly just a few days older than the first instars that we have that hatched from the wild eggs which were also only a few days apart. Even though we managed to call in a wild male all the way back in March and already have fourth (last) instar caterpillars from that brood, it seems that the flight only really heats up around now. 

Authors
Brian Liang

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