Genus Clemensia

Chris Schmidt says there are at least three species in this genus in North America, two of which are undescribed.

wingspan 16-24 mm; female larger than male

forewing white to light gray, variably dusted and spotted with brown and black; lines obscure; AM and median lines usually more distinct; reniform spot gray with sharp black inner half

hindwing grayish-white with faint darker gray median line

[adapted from description by Charles Covell]

all of United States and southern Canada

moist mixed wood forests - and probably other habitats, considering its vast distribution

adults fly from March to October in the south; June to September in Ohio; July and August in Alberta and Quebec

larvae feed on tree lichens in the genera Hypogimnium, Lobaria, Protococcus

two or more generations per year in the south; one in the north (Quebec)

"True" albata is noticeably larger than the two undescribed species. It is less common than the undescribed species (at least in the south). All Clemensia should probably be placed under albata for now until the two undescribed species are given names. It is very easy to separate all three when you have a series of each. [Kyhl Austin]

due to its small size, may be mistaken for various micromoths in the families Oecophoridae and Tortricidae; also similar to a number of geometrid species

pinned adult images of male and female C. albata (James Adams, Dalton State College, Georgia)

pinned adult image of C. albata, plus habitat, food, description, seasonality, distribution (G.G. Anweiler, U. of Alberta)

pinned adult image of C. albata, and US distribution map (Paul Opler, Moths of North America; USGS)