Numbers
10 species in North America (
nearctica.com)
Identification
Adult: wings angular and conspicuously pointed, light to dark brown (mimicing autumn leaves) with distinct AM and PM lines
Larva: yellowish to brownish twig mimic with dorsal hump on thorax
Range
western United States and southwestern Canada
Habitat
deciduous, mixed, and coniferous forests and shrublands; adults are nocturnal and attracted to light
Season
most species fly in the fall; S. cervinaria flies from spring to mid-summer
Food
most larvae feed on leaves of a variety of broad-leaved trees and shrubs; S. pallulata feeds on coniferous trees
Life Cycle
one generation per year; overwinters as an egg
Internet References
pinned adult images of four species occurring in Canada (CBIF)
pinned adult image of
S. cervinaria plus description, food plants, and flight season (Jeff Miller, Macromoths of Northwest Forests and Woodlands; USGS)
pinned adult image of
S. jubararia plus description, flight season, habitat, food plants, distribution (G.G. Anweiler, U. of Alberta)
live larva image of
S. cervinaria plus description and food plants (Jeffrey Miller, Caterpillars of Pacific Northwest Forests and Woodlands; USGS)
live larva image of
S. pallulata plus description, food plants, distribution, biology, seasonality (Canadian Forest Service)
