Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
formerly Semiothisa fissinotata
Explanation of Names
FISSINOTATA: from the Latin "fissus", pp. of "findere" (to cleave; split) + "notatus", pp. of "notare" (to mark) [with spots or lines]; probably refers to the forewing's large ST spot, often split - or nearly split - into two spots
Identification
Adult: wings powdery brownish-gray; spots along costa and in lower ST area of forewing heavy blackish-brown; ST spot large and dark, often split - or nearly split - into two spots
[adapted from description by Charles Covell]
Larva: body smoky green with inconspicuous striping; head with deep green triangle and broad black bands on both sides; faint middorsal stripe edged with white; subdorsal stripe white above, dark below, continued onto head; whitish spiracular stripe; darkened line above prolegs
[description by David Wagner and Valerie Giles]
Range
Nova Scotia to Georgia, west to Kentucky, north to Ontario
Habitat
coniferous and mixedwood forests
Season
adults fly from May to September; May to July in Quebec
larvae from June to November
Food
larvae feed on leaves of hemlock (Tsuga spp.), Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea), and rarely spruce (Picea spp.)
Life Cycle
one or two generations per year; overwinters as a pupa in soil or debris
See Also
adults of
Macaria granitata, marmorata, and
pinistrobata have three grouped spots in the ST area of the forewing (not one or two spots), and their wings have more mottling and/or darker shading (
compare images of all 4 species)
Internet References
adult images (Larry Line, Maryland)
live larva image plus description, food plant, seasonality, life cycle (David Wagner and Valerie Giles, Caterpillars of Eastern Forests; USGS)
live larva image plus description, biology, food plants, seasonality, life cycle (C.T. Maier et al, USDA Forest Service, forestpests.org)
flight season; PDF doc plus food plant and life cycle (Macrolepidoptera of Mont Saint-Hilaire Region, McGill U., Quebec)
distribution (Dalton State College, Georgia)
distribution in Canada list of provinces (CBIF)
Contributed by
Robin McLeod on 21 January, 2006 - 11:38pm
Additional contributions by
Steve MorrisLast updated 26 August, 2022 - 12:31pm
