Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Dasychira dorsipennataBarnes & McDunnough, 1919
Olene dorsipennata Barnes & McDunnough, 1919
(1) Identification
Barnes & McDunnough (1919) original description as
Olene dorsipennata is available online.
(1)
Adult: Paler than obliquata, with less of the brown shading in the basal and postmedial areas of the forewing, and a less dentate AM line. It is also usually paler and better-marked than vagans, with a less regular PM line. It is larger, paler, and grayer than plagiata. Adults apparently never have a black bar on the forewing.
Larva: The last instar larva is distinctive for the region in which it occurs. Only those of the more southern tephra and kerrvillei may be confused. Head and integument of body very dark; prothoracic plate light brown; dorsal glands red; two long, black hair pencils anteriorly and three posteriorly; the usual rosette-like cluster of white plumed hair arising from brown subdorsal verrucae; hair otherwise gray, including dorsal tufts on abdominal segments 1-4, except for a few long, lateral black hairs very narrowly plumose or merely barbed, one or two arising from each subspiracular verruca. All other species on deciduous trees in the Northeast, occurring where they are likely to be sympatric with dorsipennata, lack the posterior dorsal hair pencil.
Range
Occurs from Nova Scotia, Maine, and southern Quebec west through Ontario, Wisconsin and Minnesota at least to Brandon, Manitoba, and McHenry County, North Dakota, and southward in the Appalachians to Balsam, Jackson County, North Carolina.
Season
Single brooded. Adults generally appear from late June to early August.
Food
Have been reared on oak, hazel, birch, elm, beech, and Amelanchier, but seems to prefer willow.
See Also
Dasychira obliquata is darker with more brown shading in the basal and PM areas of the forewing, and a more dentate AM line.
(3)
Dasychira vagans is darker and not as well marked, and has a more regular PM line.
(3)
Dasychira plagiata is smaller, darker and less gray.
(3)
Dasychira basiflava can have extensive dark shading beyond the PM line that is lacking in
dorsipennata.
(3) Print References
Barnes & McDunnough, 1919. Notes on the genus
Olene with description of a new species.The Canadian Entomologist. 51(5):
102.
(1)
Ferguson, D. C., 1978. Moths of America North of Mexico, Fascicle 22.2: p. 28; pl. 5.24-34.
(3)
