Species Zanclognatha martha - Hodges#8350

8350

Pine Barrens Zanclognatha

Martha’s Zanclognatha

Zanclognatha martha - Barnes, 1928

Polypogon martha - Barnes, 1928

Phylogenetic sequence # 930497. (1)

Wingspan 25-29 mm.

Photo from Ken Childs identified by Don Tangren. (BAMONA)

Adult: "Compared to most species of the genus, this is a relatively large (25-30 mm), uniformly brownish-gray species with a violet tinge. The forewings and hindwings are about the same color and the outer portion beyond the postmedian line is darker than the basal and median portions of the wings. The dark spot on the forewing varies in intensity. There is otherwise little variation and the species is well illustrated by Rings et al. (1992) and on the Georgia Lepidoptera website. Specimens on which the ground color is not a virtually exact match for those illustrations are some other species. Forbes (1954) also provides a good key, but occasional specimens of the Zanclognatha protumnusalis complex are difficult. They will be browner and not violet tinged but some may approach the size of Z. martha." - "New York Natural Heritage Program. 2013. Online Conservation Guide for Zanclognatha martha."

Larvae: See "Preliminary key to Zanclognatha larvae" (2)

Eastern North America. (3), (4)

Moth Photographers Group - large range map with collection dates.

Scrub oak and pitch pine woodlands.

The main flight period appears to be May through September.

The larvae are detritus feeders utilizing decomposing Quercus ilicifolia Wangenh. (bear oak) leaves.

The larvae overwinter on the forest floor

It is very common in parts of New Jersey and uncommon to rare in most other areas.

Zanclognatha dentata - Z. martha is distinguished from Z. dentata by its darker ground color, weakened subterminal line, darkened distal ¼ of forewing, and its larger size.(2)

Zanclognatha protumnusalis - Distal 1/4 of wings lack dark shading.

Moth Photographers Group (3)

New Hampshire Wildlife Action Plan (PDF)

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA) (5)

The Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD) (6)