Numbers
one of three species in this genus in North America
Identification
Adult: head and labial palps white or ivory; thorax and forewing shiny black; forewing with 3 white costal spots (largest near base) and another white spot at anal angle
hindwing pale gray
Larva: body completely ringed with black and white bands (about a dozen broad black bands interspersed with broad white bands); head tan, yellowish, or orangish
Range
Pennsylvania and Maryland to Florida, west to Texas, north to Kansas
Season
adults fly from April to October in the south; flight season is shorter farther north
larvae present in spring and summer
Food
larvae skeletonize leaves of Redbud (Cercis canadensis), the only known host
Life Cycle
probably overwinters as a pupa on the ground in leaf litter and detritus; one generation per year, perhaps two in the south
Remarks
Larvae damage Redbud leaves during feeding, and their leaf folding or tying is easy to spot on infested trees, as most of the leaves on the tree are affected.
Internet References
images of adult, larva, and leaf damage plus distribution, damage, biology (U. of Florida)
live adult image (Dean Edwards, Tennessee)
adult image (Lacy Hyche, Auburn U., Alabama, forestryimages.org)
image of larva on damaged leaf (Lacy Hyche, Auburn U., Alabama, forestryimages.org)
image of larvae on damaged leaf (Diane Brown-Rytlewski, Michigan State U.)
presence in Texas; list (Dale Clark, Moths of Dallas County, Texas
seasonality in the south (Texas A&M U.)
