Species Zale intenta - Bold-Based Zale - Hodges#8713.1

8713.1

Zale intenta (Walker, [1858])

Homoptera intenta Walker, [1858]

Zale dealbata Strand, 1917

Zale woodi Franclemont & Todd, 1983

Homoptera woodii Grote, 1877

* phylogenetic sequence #931049

forewing length 19-20mm (Schmidt, 2010)

larva to 4cm(1)

Adult: Basal area dark brown, contrasting with remainder of wing, with paler patch at base of costa • FW grayish-brown to dark brown, covered in fine, black striae (particularly developed in southern populations) • AM dark brown to black, sometimes paler brown medially; bordered distally by pale grey-brown shading • Orbicular absent or small and black • Reniform rust brown centrally with a fine black border and broader pale-tan outer border • PM fine, black and sinuate • ST area variously concolorous with PM area (usually) or paler grey-brown

Distributed from Nova Scotia (Ferguson, 1954) westward to Wisconsin (Forbes, 1954) and Missouri and southward to Georgia. Likely also occurs in northern Florida (Schmidt, 2010). Canada to Florida and Texas(1)

coastal strand communities, shrubby fields, woodlands, and forest edges(1)

flight period is from March to June depending on latitude and elevation (Schmidt, 2010)

Larvae feed on Prunus species, including black cherry (Forbes, 1954), beach plum and willow oak(1)

Zale lunifera was split into two species in 2010. The name "lunifera" applies to a species restricted to scrub oak barrens east and south of the Appalachians, while the common widespread species is now called Zale intenta.

Z. lunifera - Markings and coloration similar to Z. intenta, except smaller and AM has a more pronounced medial angle. The fine black striae is less developed and thinner. Small, black orbicular is distinct, sharply contrasting. ST area concolourous with medial area, never contrastingly paler with strong striae.