Zanclognatha dentata
Wagner & McCabe, 2011
Coastal Plain Zanclognatha, Toothed Fan-foot
Zanclognatha dentata is a litter 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 . 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 on the .
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 on the , 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
subtriangular, 10.5–13 mm in length, pale to chocolate with well-defined markings. Antemedial toothed or scalloped; postmedial line toothed and thickened at ; subterminal line straight with sparse pale scaling outwardly. Discal spot usually well developed. brown with weak discal spot and variably developed postmedial and subterminal lines.
Habitat
Bogs, swamps, marshes, Atlantic 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
feed on dead, browned, lightly moistened leaves of Abies balsamea (balsam fir), Tsuga canadensis (eastern hemlock), Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas-fir), Hamamelis virginiana ( 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 .
Ecological Role
; dead leaf litter in forest , contributing to .
Similar Taxa
- Zanclognatha spp.Other in share general appearance and preferences; Z. dentata distinguished by specific patterns and distribution