Zanclognatha dentata
Wagner & McCabe, 2011
Coastal Plain Zanclognatha, Toothed Fan-foot
Zanclognatha dentata is a litter moth in the Erebidae, described by Wagner and McCabe in 2011. It occurs across eastern North America from Ontario to northern Georgia, inhabiting diverse wetland and forest . fly from late June through early August, with occasional second in early September in the southern Appalachians. The name refers to the toothed antemedial and medial lines on the forewing.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Zanclognatha dentata: /zæŋkloʊˈnæθə dɛnˈtɑːtə/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Distinguished from similar Zanclognatha by the toothed antemedial and postmedial lines on the forewing, with the postmedial line notably thickened where it joins the . The combination of subtriangular forewing shape, well-developed discal spot, and straight subterminal line with sparse pale outward edging provides additional diagnostic characters.
Appearance
Forewings subtriangular, 10.5–13 mm in length, pale to chocolate brown with well-defined markings. Antemedial line toothed or scalloped; postmedial line toothed and thickened at ; subterminal line straight with sparse pale scaling outwardly. Discal spot usually well developed. Hindwings brown with weak discal spot and variably developed postmedial and subterminal lines.
Habitat
Bogs, swamps, marshes, Atlantic white cedar swamps, swales, and other wetlands; mesic hardwood forests; Appalachian cove forests; conifer forests; pitch pine/scrub oak barrens.
Distribution
North America: Ontario to Nova Scotia, south through Great Lake states and Appalachians to northern Georgia. Single record from sandhills in central South Carolina.
Seasonality
One per year throughout most of range; from late June through early August. Small second recorded in early September in western North Carolina and northern Georgia.
Diet
Larvae feed on dead, browned, lightly moistened leaves of Abies balsamea (balsam fir), Tsuga canadensis (eastern hemlock), Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas-fir), Hamamelis virginiana (American witch-hazel), and Lonicera morrowii (Morrow's honeysuckle).
Life Cycle
in most of range with possible partial second in southern Appalachians. Larval stage feeds on dead leaf litter. and occur in mid-summer.
Behavior
attracted to lights and sugar . activity pattern typical of litter moths.
Ecological Role
Decomposer; larvae process dead leaf litter in forest , contributing to nutrient cycling.
Similar Taxa
- Zanclognatha spp.Other in share general appearance and preferences; Z. dentata distinguished by specific forewing line patterns and distribution