Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Eudryas grata (Fabricius, 1793)
Bombyx grata Fabricius, 1794
Pyralis cludialis Martyn, 1797
Eudryas assimilis Boisduval, 1874
Phylogenetic sequence # 931966
(1) Numbers
Lafontaine & Schmidt (2010) listed three species of the genus
Eudryas in America north of Mexico.
(1)Identification
Adult: larger than Pearly Wood-Nymph (E. unio), and the dark band along outer margin of forewing is smoothly curved on the inside, not scalloped as in E. unio, shown below.
Larva: body has thick orange bands with black spots alternating with several thin black and white bands. Orange face and thoracic shield with black spots and orange fleshy prolegs, each with a single black spot on the basal portion (
E.unio is similar but with two offset black spots on the basal portion of each proleg, and a white and black pro-thoracic shield).
(2)Range
Eastern and central North America
Season
Univoltine
on Block Island, RI, with a flight from June to August.
(3)Food
Larvae feed on leaves of several shrubs, vines: Ampelopsis, Buttonbush, grape, hops, Virginia Creeper.
Adults do not feed?
Life Cycle
one generation per year in the north; two in the south
See Also
Pearly Wood-Nymph (
Eudryas unio) dark band along outer margin of forewing is scalloped on the inside, not smoothly curved.
Pearly Wood-Nymph (Eudryas unio) larvae are similar but with two black spots on each proleg, white and black pro-thoracic shield, and different hostplants.
Eight-spotted Forester (Alypia octomaculata) larvae are similar, but smaller (to 3 cm) and with sparse long setae (hairs).
Internet References
Moth Photographers Group - range map, photos of living and pinned adults.
nearctica.com - range map, description and photo of pinned adult.
BOLD - Barcode of Life Data Systems - species account with collection map and photos of pinned adults.
live adult images plus description, host plants, and dates (Lynn Scott, Ontario)