Species Details
Notodonta simplaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameSimple Prominent
SeasonalityAdults are on the wing from mid-May through mid-August, larvae from June through September.
IdentificationA rather large (4.0-5.0 cm. wingspan) robust moth with dark powdery grey forwing and a lighter grey hindwing. The lines are black, waved between the veins, and faintly outlined with light scales. The most prominent marking on the forewing is the small, vertical bar shaped reniform spot, outlined in white scales. The hindwing of the male whitish shaded with pale grey, especially on the anal third, and with a dark discal mark and grey veins. Female similar, but with darker hindwings. Male antennae are narrowly pectinate and with a simple tip; females have simple antennae. N. simplaria bears a superficial resemblance to large specimens of Panthea and some Polia, especially Polia rogenhoferi fm. carbonifera. The small, bar-shaped reniform with the pale border will separate simplaria from similar species.
Scientific Name
Notodonta simplaria
Common Name
Simple Prominent
Habitat
Deciduous and mixedwood forest.
Seasonality
Adults are on the wing from mid-May through mid-August, larvae from June through September.
Identification
A rather large (4.0-5.0 cm. wingspan) robust moth with dark powdery grey forwing and a lighter grey hindwing. The lines are black, waved between the veins, and faintly outlined with light scales. The most prominent…
A rather large (4.0-5.0 cm. wingspan) robust moth with dark powdery grey forwing and a lighter grey hindwing. The lines are black, waved between the veins, and faintly outlined with light scales. The most prominent marking on the forewing is the small, vertical bar shaped reniform spot, outlined in white scales. The hindwing of the male whitish shaded with pale grey, especially on the anal third, and with a dark discal mark and grey veins. Female similar, but with darker hindwings. Male antennae are narrowly pectinate and with a simple tip; females have simple antennae. N. simplaria bears a superficial resemblance to large specimens of Panthea and some Polia, especially Polia rogenhoferi fm. carbonifera. The small, bar-shaped reniform with the pale border will separate simplaria from similar species.
Life History
Adults are nocturnal and come to light. The larvae are solitary defoliators. They overwinter as pupae. Adults either have an extended emergence, or there may be a partial second brood (?).
Conservation
No concerns.
Diet Info
Aspen poplar (Populus tremuloides); elsewhere in Canada mainly aspen but also willow (Salix sp.).
Range
Nova Scotia west to central BC, south to New York. In Alberta widespread in the southern Boreal Forest, Aspen Parklands and Foothills.
Citation
Page Citation for Notodonta simplaria
Page Citation
"Species Details - Notodonta simplaria, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-380. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Specimen Information
There are 11 specimens of this Species.
BIRD31500 - Notodonta simplaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2009-06-13
UASM187132 - Notodonta simplaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Dunvegan Provincial Park
Collected ByDombroskie, J. J.; Macaulay, D.; Bromilow, S.
Date Collected2006-05-10
UASM187133 - Notodonta simplaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedUnited States: Michigan, Chippewa county, Drummond Island
Collected ByTroubridge; Lafontaine
Date Collected2003-07-31
UASM187134 - Notodonta simplaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Kananaskis Country, Hailstone Butte
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected1999-07-19
UASM187135 - Notodonta simplaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Quebec, Degelis
Collected ByHensel, H.
Date Collected1994-06-11
UASM187136 - Notodonta simplaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Quebec, Degelis
Collected ByHensel, H.
Date Collected1994-06-13
UASM187137 - Notodonta simplaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: New Brunswick, Edmundston
Collected ByHensel, H.
Date Collected1994-06-13
BIRD33699 - Notodonta simplaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2010-06-12
BIRD35087 - Notodonta simplaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2011-05-21
CBCC1280 - Notodonta simplaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Moose Lake Provincial Park
Collected ByChristensen, C. B.
Date Collected2005-06-26
BIRD37080 - Notodonta simplaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Medicine Lake Provincial Recreation Area
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2013-06-23