Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Author: Walker, 1855
Explanation of Names
an aptly-named species: the adult has a doubly-toothed band on its forewing, the larva has doubly-toothed humps on its back, and the food plant (elm) has doubly-toothed leaf edges
Identification
Adult: FW grayish with black double-toothed bar running from the base to mid outer margin, fading to brown at the costa. Sub-apical dash shaded with white. HW brown, darker toward margin.
(3)
Larva: doubly-serrate abdominal humps distinguish this chalky-green caterpillar from all others in eastern North America; profile strikingly similar to leaf edges of food plant
[description by David Wagner and Valerie Giles]
Range
TX-FL-NS-MN - MPG - common throughout its range
Type Locality: Trenton Falls, New York
Habitat
Deciduous forests containing elm
Season
Mostly: April-August - MPG
Larvae from June to October.
Food
Larvae feed on course-leaved elms (
Ulmus spp.)
(1)Life Cycle
Two generations per year, pupa overwinters
(1) in the ground
(4)
Larva; larva; larva head; larva; pupa; adult
Remarks
Beating is particularly effective for collecting this small-legged caterpillar
(1)Print References
Covell,
Field Guide to Eastern Moths, p. 331, plate 43 #4
(5)
Wagner,
Caterpillars of Eastern Forests, p. 52--larva
(6)
Wagner,
Caterpillars of Eastern North America, p. 289--photo of adult (specimen) and caterpillar
(1)
