Notodonta

Adults of Notodonta species typically have triangular forewings with characteristic pattern elements; N. dromedarius displays rust-coloured wing markings, while N. ziczac shows a distinctive zigzag pattern. The genus can be distinguished from other Notodontidae genera by genitalic characters and wing pattern combinations. Larvae possess prominent humps on abdominal segments, particularly on the sixth, seventh, and twelfth segments, creating a characteristic silhouette when at rest.

Occurs in diverse environments including deciduous woodlands and urban areas where host plants are present. Specific habitat associations vary by species based on host plant distribution.

Palearctic distribution from North Africa across Europe to China. Present throughout Britain and Ireland, with records from Scandinavia (Denmark, Norway, Sweden) and North America (Vermont, USA).

Adult flight periods vary by latitude and species. In the UK, N. dromedarius flies in May/June and August in southern England (double-brooded), with a single brood in northern England and Scotland. N. ziczac shows similar pattern with first generation emergence peaking in May in the UK, with timing advancing several weeks since the 1970s.

Larvae feed on willow (Salix spp.) and poplar (Populus spp.); N. ziczac primarily uses Salix with Populus as secondary host.

• Salix - primary larval host plantWillow species
• Populus - secondary larval host plantPoplar species, less commonly used by N. ziczac

Holometabolous development with egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages. Overwinters as pupa. Brood number varies geographically: double-brooded in southern regions, single-brooded in northern regions. First generation emergence timing has advanced several weeks since the 1970s observations for N. ziczac.

Adults are attracted to light traps. Larvae of N. ziczac assume a characteristic zigzag-like posture at rest due to body humps, giving the species its name from German 'zickzack'.

Subject of genomic research including complete chromosome-level genome assemblies for N. dromedarius (342 Mb) and N. ziczac (352 Mb) as part of the Darwin Tree of Life Project. N. dromedarius was among the first Notodontidae to have its sex pheromone chemically identified as (11Z,13Z)-11,13-hexadecadienal. Population abundance has declined sharply in the UK from 1970 to 2016 based on monitoring data.

• Other Notodontidae generaDistinguished by wing pattern combinations and genitalic morphology; Notodonta species typically show more pronounced rust or zigzag forewing patterns compared to related genera.

• Notodontidae
• prominent moths
• genome sequenced
• Darwin Tree of Life
• phenological shift
• declining abundance

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• The genome sequence of the iron prominent, Notodonta dromedarius (Linnaeus, 1767).
• The genome sequence of the pebble prominent, Notodonta ziczac (Linnaeus, 1758).