Common NameKent's ThornSeasonalityIn Alberta they fly from late April to mid June, peaking in the latter half of May.IdentificationThis large and fairly robust geometrid moth mimics wilted leaves with its jagged rust and brown wings. Ground colour pale-tan, with brighter rust shades at the wing margins and a pinkish white shade along the forewing costa; three dark brown transverse lines. Slightly larger and paler than the very similar S. alciphearia; kentaria has a more jagged postmedian (PM) line on both wings (best seen on the underside). The forewing PM line in kentaria has a more pronounced indentation midway, and the hindwing PM line is more irregular and slightly curved outwardly (straight or nearly so in alciphearia). The enitalia of some specimens must be examined for positive identification (see McGuffin, 1987).
Scientific NameSelenia kentariaCommon Name
Kent's Thorn
Habitat
Mixedwood and deciduous forests and woodlands.
Seasonality
In Alberta they fly from late April to mid June, peaking in the latter half of May.
Identification
This large and fairly robust geometrid moth mimics wilted leaves with its jagged rust and brown wings. Ground colour pale-tan, with brighter rust shades at the wing margins and a pinkish white shade along the forewing…
This large and fairly robust geometrid moth mimics wilted leaves with its jagged rust and brown wings. Ground colour pale-tan, with brighter rust shades at the wing margins and a pinkish white shade along the forewing costa; three dark brown transverse lines. Slightly larger and paler than the very similar S. alciphearia; kentaria has a more jagged postmedian (PM) line on both wings (best seen on the underside). The forewing PM line in kentaria has a more pronounced indentation midway, and the hindwing PM line is more irregular and slightly curved outwardly (straight or nearly so in alciphearia). The enitalia of some specimens must be examined for positive identification (see McGuffin, 1987).
Life History
The larvae are amazing twig mimics in colouration, texture and shape, to the point where white patches resemble bark lichen. Pupae hibernate (Wagner et al. 2001).
Conservation
No concerns.
Diet Info
Several hardwood trees are the reported larval hosts (Prentice 1963, Wagner et al. 2001); of these, birch (Betula) is the only species native to Alberta. May feed on cherry (Prunus spp.) in the east-central part of…
Several hardwood trees are the reported larval hosts (Prentice 1963, Wagner et al. 2001); of these, birch (Betula) is the only species native to Alberta. May feed on cherry (Prunus spp.) in the east-central part of the province.
Range
Central Alberta east to Nova Scotia, south to GA, AL, AR, MS (Wagner et al. 2001, McGuffin 1987). McGuffin (1987) reported it as far west as Saskatchewan.
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Citation
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Page Citation for Selenia kentaria
Page Citation
"Species Details - Selenia kentaria, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-4505. Accessed 06 Oct. 2024.
References
AuthorPrentice, R. M.
TitleForest Lepidoptera of Canada. (1963)
Publication Date1963
Volume3
Pages281
AuthorWagner, D.L, D.L. Ferguson, T.L. McCabe and R.C. Reardon
TitleGeometroid Caterpillars of Northeastern and Appalachian Forests
Publication Date2001
Pages239
AuthorMcGuffin, W. C.
TitleGuide to the Geometridae of Canada (Lepidoptera): II. Subfamily Ennominae, 4
Publication Date1987
Series TitleMemoirs of the Entomological Society of Canada
Volume138
Pages182
Specimen Information
There are 54 specimens of this Species.
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54 results plotted on map in 17 markers. Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.