Species Epiglaea decliva - Sloping Sallow - Hodges#9946

9946

one of two species in this genus in North America listed at All-Leps

wingspan 40-50 mm (1)

larvae to 50 mm

Adult: forewing variably orangish to reddish-brown or purplish-brown; reniform and orbicular spots oblong, filled with slightly darker color, and with pale outline; orbicular spot on oblique angle; PM line either faint and evenly rounded, with black spots beyond it, or scalloped, with black spots at scallop points; subterminal line dark, slightly irregular, with pale distal edge; terminal line thin, scalloped; hindwing dirty brownish-gray with wavy red terminal line and pinkish fringe

Larva: body brown to reddish-brown with elongate pale dorsal spots at caudal end of third thoracic segment and first seven abdominal segments; faint dorsal stripe on first two thoracic segments; faint subdorsal stripe, and indistinct white to yellow spiracular line; body paler below stripe; prothoracic plate well differentiated, divided over midline; head mottled black with short brown bar over each vertex; spiracles often cream or brown with black rim or wholly darkened

[adapted from description by David Wagner et al]

Quebec and Maine to South Carolina, west to Kansas, north to Alberta

barrens, thickets, woodlots, forests; adults are nocturnal and come to light and bait

adults fly from October to December (1)

larvae from May to July

larvae feed on leaves of apple, cherry, and oak

overwinters as an egg; eggs hatch in spring about the time cherry leafs out; one generation per year

Pointed Sallow (Epiglaea apiata) forewing is smaller and usually purplish-colored with a prominent pale subterminal line and more pointed apex (compare images of both species at CBIF)

south of Canada, compare with Footpath Sallow (Metaxaglaea semitaria) and Roadside Sallow (M. viatica) - see photos of these and related species by Jim Vargo at MPG

Moth Photographers Group

Barcode of Life (BOLD)

pinned adult image (James Adams, Dalton State College, Georgia)

pinned adult image by John Glaser (Larry Line, Maryland)

live larva image plus description, seasonality, foodplants (David Wagner and Valerie Giles, Caterpillars of Eastern Forests, USGS)

presence in South Carolina county distribution map (John Snyder, Furman U., South Carolina)