Yellow-collared Slug Moth
Common NameYellow-collared Slug Moth
Scientific NameApoda y-gemma
FamilyLimacodidae
SubfamilyLimacodinae
Wingspan (mm)20
Primary Colorsorange, brown
HabitatDeciduous forests, woodlands, suburban areas
Geographic RangeEastern North America
Host Plantsoak, maple, birch, cherry, hickory
Flight PeriodMay to August
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are slug-like, lacking prolegs, and move by gliding on a sticky secretion; they pupate in a tough, oval cocoon often attached to a twig.
Identification TipsKey features include its distinctive tent-like wing posture, tawny-orange coloration with dark lines, and the common name refers to a yellow collar on the thorax (though not always prominent in photos). The slug-like larva is also a strong identifier for the family.
Description
A small, stout-bodied moth with broad, rounded, tawny-orange wings held in a distinctive tent-like posture, featuring subtle dark transverse lines.
