Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Scopula limboundata (Haworth, 1809)
Phalaena limboundata Haworth, 1809
Synonyms
Acidalia enucleata Guenée, 1857
Acidalia restricata Walker, 1861
Acidalia reconditaria Walker, 1861
Acidalia mensurata Walker, 1866
Acidalia continuaria Walker, 1866
Leptomeris nigrodiscalis Hulst, 1898
Synelys relevata Swett, 1907
Synelys adornata Prout, 1907
Phylogenetic sequence # 910567
Size
wingspan 25-30 mm, based on CBIF specimens
Identification
outer margins of wings angular; wing ground color pale whitish or yellowish, speckled with brownish-yellow dots and crossed by 3 or 4 wavy brownish-yellow lines; small black discal spot near middle of all wings; area between second and third wavy line usually less speckled than remainder of wing; subterminal area of hindwing (and anal angle portion of forewing) often with dark gray blotches or patches - lacking in the "enucleata" form of S. limboundata
Genitalia:
♂
Specimen identified by DNA analysis:
Some of the various forms:
Range
North America east of the Rockies (appears to be less common in the southern US than in the northern states and Canada, judging from the number of records found on the web)
may also occur in Europe (?) - see Internet References
Season
This species is essentially univoltine
on Block Island, RI, flying mainly mid-June to mid-July, but with a slight partial generation flying in August and September.
(1)Food
larvae feed on apple, blueberry, clover, dandelion, meadow-beauty, and black cherry
Life Cycle
Eggs, caterpillar, caterpillar, adult female:
Remarks
The "enucleata" form, which lacks the dark gray subterminal patches, was formerly considered a separate species.
See Also
Scopula inductata has more heavily speckled wings, and outer wing margins are rounded, not angular;
S. junctaria lacks black discal spots on all wings;
S. luteolata has more brownish wings and outer margins are rounded, not angular;
S. purata is smaller (wingspan 20 mm or less) but otherwise similar to forms other than "enucleata";
S. siccata has darker brown shading near apex of forewing, and wings are uniformly and heavily speckled.
Compare images of all selected species.
Small Frosted Wave Moth -
Scopula lautaria
Chalky Wave Moth -
Scopula purata
Single-dotted Wave Moth -
Idaea dimidiata
Rippled Wave Moth -
Idaea obfusaria
