Observation date: August 26, 2021
Submitted by: tirvine2020
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: Reared from Robinia pseudoacacia. A Macrosaccus robiniella mine (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/93921909) was found in late august and on 8/26 a few green larvae were found in the mine along with the then Macrosaccus cocoon. Two larvae were smaller and appeared to be Sinoe robiniella larvae (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/112110545); the third larva in the Macrosaccus mine was this individual. The last photo shows a hole made in the lower epidermis of the leaf covering the Macrosaccus mine where this larva would briefly pop out of to feed from. For a while it fed from inside the Macrosaccus mine along with the other larvae, but once their markings started to develop and I realized they were different species this larva was isolated in another container. It then only leaftiered as it continued to grow. It stopped feeding on 9/10 and became pinkish ventrally. It was then moved to another container with soil and immediately burrowed into the soil. The container was put in the fridge in late October 2021 and was taken out on 3/5/22. The adult emerged on 3/22/22. After eclosion, I dug around in the soil and found the very well disguised cocoon. The cocoon appeared to be very thick silk with dirt enmeshed in it. The pupal exuvia was still entirely inside the cocoon even after eclosion; what seems to be the exit hole in the cocoon is shown in the fourth photo. Photos are in reverse chronological order. See more photos here: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/109333129
Status: Resident
Verified by: Sue Gregoire
Verified date: January 08, 2023
Coordinator notes: None.
