Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Explanation of Names
From Greek
tolype (τολυπη), "a ball of wool or yarn, lump" (Internet searches). Appears related to Greek root
tolyp meaning "wind up". (
phthiraptera.org). Compare
Tolypeutes, a genus of armadillos, known for curling into a ball.
Numbers
Nearctica
(1) lists 11 species, as does
All-Leps
4 species in Canada
Identification
Adult: Two widespread eastern species are Small Tolype (T. notialis) and Large Tolype (T. velleda). The postmedian line on the forewing is more wavy in T. notialis, less wavy in T. velleda. Also, T. notialis is usually a darker gray, and T. velleda a paler gray. Compare T. velleda/T. notialis:
However, there is considerable variation among individuals and between the sexes of all
Tolype species, which complicates identification of species based on color (see
pinned examples of 8 species by Jim Vargo at MPG)
Tolype minta is whitish with gray lines, is southern, found from South Carolina to Florida.
T. laricis has a more northern distribution, the male is blackish, and the female is similar to the Large Tolype (see Internet refernces).
Range
represented througout United States and southern Canada; T. laricis is the most widespread species, occurring coast to coast in southern Canada and northern United States
Habitat
depending on species, deciduous, mixed, or coniferous forests; adults are nocturnal and come to light
Season
varies according to species; adults fly from April to December in the south; mostly August and September in the north
Food
larvae of T. velleda feed on leaves of hardwood trees
larvae of several other Tolype species feed on conifers
Life Cycle
up to three generations per year in the south; one generation in the north
Internet References
pinned adult images of 8 species by Jim Vargo (Moth Photographers Group)
pinned adult images of males and females of 4 species occurring in Canada (CBIF)
live adult images of 3 species by various photographers, plus common name references (Moth Photographers Group)
live adult images of male
T. laricis (Lynn Scott, Ontario)
live larva image of
T. laricis (Chris Maier, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, forestryimages.org)
live larva image of
T. dayi from British Columbia, plus other info (Canadian Forest Service)
North Carolina State University Entomology Collection lists, for that state, with number pinned:
T. laricis (8),
T. notialis (42),
T. velleda (41).
distribution in Canada of 4 species list of provinces for each species (CBIF)
