Other Common Names
False Unicorn Caterpillar (larva)
Explanation of Names
IPOMOEAE: from the genus name (
Ipomoea) of
morning-glory, one of the larval foodplants, and the origin of the common name Morning-glory Prominent
Identification
Adult: forewing highly variable - usually grayish-brown with inconspicuous pattern of black streaks and spots; lines broken, obscure; reniform spot blackish, ringed with ground color; black-shaded form "cinereofrons" predominant in some localities; form "telifer" has long black streaks in basal and subterminal areas; hindwing dirty white in male, dark gray in female
[adapted from description by Charles Covell]
Larva: fifth abdominal segment distinctly humped; 5-banded stripe on head; body light brown with contrasting green second and third thoracic segments
Range
all of United States and across southern Canada
Habitat
deciduous forests; adults are nocturnal and come to light
Season
adults fly from April to September in the south; June to August in the north
larvae from May to October
Food
larvae feed on leaves of beech, birch, elm, maple, morning-glory, oak, rose, and other woody plants
Life Cycle
one generation per year in the north
See Also
Schizura unicornis has a very similar caterpillar. The head stripes and humped A5 (fifth abdominal segment) of this species are listed as distinctive in Wagner
(1) p. 314. S. unicornis also has a white V-shape over A6 and A7 which S. ipomoeae lacks..
Internet References
live and pinned adult images by various photographers, plus common name reference [Morning-glory Prominent] (Moth Photographers Group)
live adult images of dark form "cinereofrons" plus description, foodplants, flight season (Lynn Scott, Ontario)
foodplants plus common name reference [Morning-glory Prominent] and flight season (Ohio State U.)
live larva image plus common name reference [False Unicorn Caterpillar] (Lacy Hyche, Auburn U., Alabama, insectimages.org)
live larva image plus description, foodplants, seasonality, life cycle (David Wagner and Valerie Giles, Caterpillars of Eastern Forests, USGS)
US distribution map plus pinned adult image by Paul Opler (butterfliesandmoths.org)
presence in California; list (U. of California at Berkeley)
distribution in Canada list of provinces (U. of Alberta, using CBIF data)
