A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Zale galbanata
Moth with considerable variation in wing color (boldness/faintness of markings) among individuals; forewing gray to grayish-brown, often with orangish-yellow tint in median area, and with or without white strip in subterminal area; lines fine, black; PM line has two bulges in upper half; ST line heaviest line but usually only from inner margin to lower bulge of PM line. Hindwing similar to forewing in color and pattern except lacks orangish-yellow tint in median area, and heavy ST line even bolder in some individuals. Wingspan 29-41 mm
Range is at least Manitoba to New Brunswick, south to northern Florida and Texas. Habitat is riparian maple groves, suburban yards, woodlots with maples. This one was photographed at a porch light in Edgefield County, SC at the edge of a southern deciduous forest that contains host trees (maples) for the caterpillars.
It's also called Boxelder Zale. Adults fly from April to September. Larval host is boxelder and perhaps other maples. Hodges#8692; Phylogenetic sequence #931026. Per BAMONA, this sighting is a new record for this species in Edgefield County, SC.
Spotted on Apr 17, 2013
Submitted on May 25, 2013
No Comments