Identifiers unfamiliar with Lepidoptera larvaelarva:
the stages between the egg and pupa of those insects having complete metamorphosis
should consult Stehr (1987) or Peterson (1948) for an overview of larval morphology and study techniques. In addition, an illustrated section on larval morphology is provided on this website. Larval characters can vary extensively, even in the same species, both between instars and in the same instarinstar:
the stage between molts
. Most of the characters discussed in the fact sheets and used in the keys are based on late or last instar larvaelarva:
the stages between the egg and pupa of those insects having complete metamorphosis
, and early instars of many species may be impossible to identify. When examining pinaculapinaculum:
a small, flat, or slightly elevated chitinized area bearing a seta or setae
and setal number, be sure to look at both sides of the larvalarva:
the stages between the egg and pupa of those insects having complete metamorphosis
, as some specimens are asymmetrical. When an asymmetrical individual is found, use the highest number of setaeseta:
a hairlike projection of the body wall that is articulated in a socket; compare to spine
when navigating the keys. Preservation of larvaelarva:
the stages between the egg and pupa of those insects having complete metamorphosis
can obscure characters, and even freshly preserved specimens may discolor and make color or pattern characters useless. All of the larvaelarva:
the stages between the egg and pupa of those insects having complete metamorphosis
illustrated in the fact sheets are preserved, so these specimens may appear very different from live and/or freshly collected individuals. It is also possible for pieces to break off specimens preserved in alcohol, and occasionally setaeseta:
a hairlike projection of the body wall that is articulated in a socket; compare to spine
or other structures (e.g., the anal combanal comb:
the mesal sclerotized prong ventrad of the anal plate and adjacent to the anus; used to eject frass
) may be missing because of breakage. Any determination made with the LepIntercept keys should be checked by an expert, and molecular analysis may be required to confirm identity in some cases.