Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Tolype velleda (
Stoll, 1791)
Phalaena Bombyx velleda Stoll, [1790]
(178)
Tolyp[sic] candidatus Cassino, 1928
* Phylogenetic sequence #223275
Explanation of Names
velleda: perhaps from the Latin "velum" (a veil)
Size
Wingspan 32-58 mm.
(1); male considerably smaller than female
Identification
Adult: male forewing has whitish veins and broad dark gray subterminal band, fairly straight, and lacking alternating pinched and expanded sections; PM line whitish; basal half of wing slightly paler gray, with whitish AM line; hindwing dark gray, with or without whitish median band; female has similar markings but is paler overall, and less contrasting than male; male antennae pectinate, wider in basal half; female antennae simple.
Larva: body grayish with long hairs on lateral fleshy lappets; top of third thoracic segment has enlarged brown or reddish-orange knobs; when alarmed, exposes dorsal black band from fold behind warts.
[adapted from description by David Wagner and Valerie Giles]
Range
Nova Scotia to central Florida, west to Texas, north to North Dakota -
MAP (MPG)
Season
Adults fly mostly June-November (
MPG)
Larvae present from June to August.
Food
Larvae feed on leaves of a variety of broadleaf trees and shrubs. Wagner
(2) lists "apple, ash, aspen, basswood, beech, birch, cherry, oak and other woody plants."
See Also
Small Tolype (
Tolype notialis) is slightly smaller, usually darker, and forewing subterminal band is wavier, with alternating pinched and expanded sections.
Larch Tolype (
Tolype laricis) is much smaller, darker, and has a more northern distribution [doesn't occur in southern United States]
several other
Tolype species occur in the southwest and in western Canada (
compare images of 4 species at CBIF.)
Caterpillars of three other eastern Tolype species have yellow and orange spots on the black intersegmental bar, and feed on leaves of coniferous trees.
Print References
Covell p. 53, plate 8
(1)
Wagner, p. 23--photo of larva
(3)
Franclemont, J. G., 1973. Moths of America North of Mexico, Fascicle 20.1: p. 34; pl. 3.26-30.
(4)
