Genus Probole

3 species in North America listed at All-Leps

wingspan 23-30 mm

Adult: forewing usually two-toned (dark distally, pale basally) with sharply-angled PM line

most of North America, including the central arctic (Northwest Territories) but not western or eastern arctic

The pupa of Probole overwinters. (1)

According to research comparing morphological, molecular, and developmental characters, and completed in 2004 by Timothy Tomon at Pennsylvania State University, there is only one species of Probole in North America. "It is highly variable in pattern and color, exhibiting within-population polymorphism, sexual dimorphism, and between-brood polyphenism, as well as being geographically polytypic. It takes the name of P. amicaria (commonly known as Friendly Probole), and includes the other two former species alienaria and nepiasaria."

The above information was taken from an online document in mid-2005 at an address here that is no longer working. As of April 2007, no other Internet documents were found in support of lumping the 3 North American Probole species into one species.

Wagner's caterpillars of Eastern North America notes: "The taxonomy of Probole is still in flux, in part because the adults are seasonally dimorphic....Save reared voucher specimens because species concepts are sure to change in the genus." (1)

pinned adult images of all 3 species in North America (CBIF)

distribution in Canada list of provinces and territories (CBIF)