Species Psaphida electilis - Chosen Sallow - Hodges#10012

10012

Eutolype electilis

described in 1875 by Morrison, who originally placed it in genus Dicopis

ELECTILIS: means "elected" - hence the common name of "Chosen" Sallow, but I don't know how the name applies to the species [RM]

wingspan about 35 mm, based on three photos by Jim Vargo at MPG

larva length to 40 mm

Adult: forewing pattern and color apparently varies geographically - northern individuals have reddish-brown shading inside basal streak, anal angle patch, and reniform spot (as in photo below)

whereas southern individuals have no brown but may have blackish streak running length of wing (as in photo below)

hindwing white basally, shading to pale gray distally, with thin dark terminal line

Larva: body whitish to yellowish-green above cream-colored lateral stripe, and bluish-green below; conspicuous white hairs have bases that are whitened, raised, and pimple-like; head pale green, smooth, shiny

Quebec and Ontario to Florida, west to Texas and Wisconsin

deciduous woodlands; adults are nocturnal and come to light

adults fly in April and May

larvae present from mid to late spring

larvae feed on leaves of hickory (Carya spp.) and walnut (Juglans spp.)

one generation per year; eggs are laid on buds of hostplant; overwinters as a pupa in soil, sometimes for more than a single year

As Dean Edwards noted, the coloration of this species shows geographical variation: northern specimens tend to have dark gray forewings with contrasting reddish-brown markings; southern specimens are usually paler gray and less contrasting overall, with little or no brown in the forewings.

live and pinned adult images by various photographers (Moth Photographers Group)

distribution in Canada Quebec and Ontario only (U. of Alberta, using CBIF data)

common name reference and larval foodplants (Ohio State U.)