Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Iridopsis larvaria (Guenée, [1858])
original combination Boarmia larvarai Guenée, [1858]
=
Cymatophora larvaria; in Packard (1876) Rep. U.S. Geol. Geog. Surv. Territ. 10:
437
* phylogenetic sequence #194875
Identification
Adult: wings pale gray to grayish-white with sharp black lines and brown shading, but less mottled than in Brown-shaded Gray (I. defectaria); PM line on hindwing more sharply angled than in any other species of Iridopsis; discal spots hollow, prominent; melanic specimens evenly dark gray with normal markings
[adapted from description by Charles Covell]
Larva: body green with dorsal brown markings over thoracic and second to fifth and eighth abdominal segments; spiracles small, whitish, rimmed with pale orange; ventral surface of second abdominal segment with brown patch that may join dorsal patch; spiracular area of second segment swollen; thoracic and midabdominal prolegs darkened; dorsum of eighth abdominal segment with low, black warts; head flat-faced, mottled orange brown, lobed above, with broad darkened band that meets over head and may continue onto thorax; this band narrowing to eyes, leaving pale "cheek" patch
[description by David Wagner and Valerie Giles]
Range
Newfoundland to Georgia, west to Texas, north to British Columbia -
Map (MPG)
Habitat
deciduous woods; adults are nocturnal and come to light
Season
adults fly from April to September; February to November in the south
larvae from May to October
Food
larvae feed on alder, birch, black cherry, maple, poplar, senna, willow, and many other plants
(2)See Also
Brown-shaded Gray (
Iridopsis defectaria) wings more mottled, and hindwing AM line less sharply angled