Zanclognatha protumnusalis

Zanclognatha protumnusalis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Erebidae
Subfamily: Herminiinae
Genus: Zanclognatha
Species: Z. protumnusalis
Binomial name
Zanclognatha protumnusalis
(Walker, 1859)
Synonyms
  • Polypogon protumnusalis Walker, 1859
  • Zanclognatha minimalis Grote, 1878


The Conifer Zanclognatha (Zanclognatha protumnusalis) is a litter moth of the Erebidae family. It is found from southern Canada to Florida and Texas.

Larva

The wingspan is about 25 mm. Adults are on wing from July to September. There is one generation in the north. There is a partial second generation in New Jersey and two or more broods in the south.

Larvae are found on Atlantic white cedar, balsam fir, black spruce, jack pine and white spruce. They probably feed on lichen, algae and detritus within the trees.

If disturbed, the larvae fake death by rolling on their side, partially curling their body. They remain motionless in this position.

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