Finned-willow Prominent - Hodges#7926
Notodonta scitipennis
This record describes Notodonta scitipennis (species). Recorded family: Notodontidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing bicolored - trailing half and outer edge mostly dark reddish-brown, and leading half mostly gray; orbicular spot indicated by a rusty streak, and reniform spot by a thin vertical rusty line; basal area has two blackish-brown streaks (giving rise to the common name); male has prominent dark tooth on inner margin halfway between base and anal angle female hindwing dark reddish-brown; male hindwing white with dark anal mark Larva: outline unique with backward projecting, fleshy humps on second and third abdominal segments; raised angulate eighth abdominal segment; head with front flattened, slightly lobed to either side, festooned with black spots, and pale line running from antenna to vertex; oblique lines to either side of midline on midabdominal segments (description from Caterpillars of Eastern Forests)
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Notodontidae (Prominent Moths)
- Subfamily
- Notodontinae
- Genus
- Notodonta
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
deciduous and mixed woods and shrublands
Geographic Range
southern Canada and northern US east of the Rockies: Alberta to Newfoundland, south to Colorado and Pennsylvania (see distribution map at MPG)
Seasonal Activity
adults fly in June and July larvae from July to September
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on leaves of poplar and willow
Life History
one generation per year, with a partial second generation in some areas
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Notodonta scitipennis. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Finned-willow Prominent - Hodges#7926 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , Ethan Kistler , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Finned-willow Prominent - Hodges#7926
What is Finned-willow Prominent - Hodges#7926?
Finned-willow Prominent - Hodges#7926 (Notodonta scitipennis) is a species in the family Notodontidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Finned-willow Prominent - Hodges#7926?
wingspan 35-48 mm
How do you identify Finned-willow Prominent - Hodges#7926?
Adult: forewing bicolored - trailing half and outer edge mostly dark reddish-brown, and leading half mostly gray; orbicular spot indicated by a rusty streak, and reniform spot by a thin vertical rusty line; basal area has two blackish-brown streaks (giving rise to the common name); male has prominent dark tooth on inner margin halfway between base and anal angle female hindwing dark reddish-brown; male hindwing white with dark anal mark Larva: outline unique with backward projecting, fleshy humps on second and third abdominal segments; raised angulate eighth abdominal segment; head with front flattened, slightly lobed to either side, festooned with black spots, and pale line running from antenna to vertex; oblique lines to either side of midline on midabdominal segments (description from Caterpillars of Eastern Forests)
Where is Finned-willow Prominent - Hodges#7926 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | deciduous and mixed woods and shrublands |
| Range | southern Canada and northern US east of the Rockies: Alberta to Newfoundland, south to Colorado and Pennsylvania (see distribution map at MPG) |
What does Finned-willow Prominent - Hodges#7926 eat?
The diet of the Finned-willow Prominent - Hodges#7926 includes larvae feed on leaves of poplar and willow.
When is Finned-willow Prominent - Hodges#7926 active?
Finned-willow Prominent - Hodges#7926: seasonal activity - adults fly in June and July larvae from July to September.
What is the life cycle of a Finned-willow Prominent - Hodges#7926?
one generation per year, with a partial second generation in some areas