Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
described in 1875 by Harvey, who originally placed it in genus Pseudaglossa
Explanation of Names
DENTICULALIS: from the Latin "dens, dentis" (tooth, teeth); refers to the toothed lines on the forewing (and is the origin of the common name) but this characteristic is also present in several other species of Idia
Numbers
apparently uncommon to rare throughout range, based on relative scarcity of Internet records
Size
wingspan about 25 mm, based on photo by Jim Vargo at MPG
Identification
Adult: forewing shaded with light yellowish-gray or yellowish-brown; AM, PM, and ST lines with sharp irregular teeth; reniform spot represented by a small and indistinct dark arc with pale outline (sometimes faint or absent); diffuse dark patch in median area touches proximal edge of PM line at inner margin; hindwing similar color to forewing but slightly paler and with smoother lines
Range
mostly northeastern United States and southeastern Canada: New Brunswick to North Carolina, west to Illinois, north to Ontario
two Internet records from Texas, presumably of a small population, as the species is not recorded on these three Texas moth lists:
1,
2,
3
although All-Leps shows a collection record from Florida, the species name is not on
this Florida list by John Heppner
Habitat
open moist or sandy woods; adults are nocturnal and come to light and bait [Handfield]
Season
adults fly from April to September in Maryland; July and August in Quebec [Handfield]
See Also
Common Idia (
Idia aemula) forewing has large pale reniform spot that contrasts against ground color of wing, and if dark shading is present in median area, it does not touch proximal edge of PM line (
compare images of both species at CBIF)
also see pinned adult images of
ten other Idia species at MPG
Print References
Handfield, Louis. 1999. Les Guides des Papillons du Quebec. Broquet. 662 pp.
Internet References
live adult images by Robert Patterson, and pinned adult image by Jim Vargo (Moth Photographers Group)
pinned adult image by John Glaser, plus status and flight season in Maryland (Larry Line, Maryland)
20 pinned adult images plus collection site map showing presence in Quebec, North Carolina, Florida and Texas (All-Leps)
presence in North Carolina; list 4 pinned specimens, including locally collected specimens (North Carolina State U.)
presence in Texas; list by Edward Knudson in late May of 1996 and 2003; search on species "denticulalis" (Lepidopterists Society Season Summary, U. of Florida)
distribution in Canada list of provinces (U. of Alberta, using CBIF data)
Contributed by
Robin McLeod on 5 August, 2006 - 6:18pm
Last updated 6 July, 2009 - 7:29pm
