Species Details

Schizura unicornis

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »

Common NameVariegated Prominent, Unicorn Caterpillar Moth SeasonalityAdults late May to August and larvae June through August. IdentificationA medium-size (2.4-3.5 cm wingspan) maroon and purple-grey moth, with pale greenish patches in fresh specimens. The pale green or whitish basal area bordered by a doubled black antemedian line on the forewing is diagnostic. The reniform spot is a prominent thin vertical black bar, and there are usually two small white wedges on the lower edge of the forewing margin, a black sub-apical mark on the costa, and small black spots or wedges in the subterminal area. The hindwing is dirty white shaded with grey in males, darker grey in females. The male antennae are moderately pectinate to the mid-point, then abruptly simple. The most common and widespread member of the genus. See also Schizura leptinoides and S. ipomoeae.

Scientific Name Schizura unicornis Common Name Variegated Prominent, Unicorn Caterpillar Moth Habitat Deciduous woodland and shrub. Seasonality Adults late May to August and larvae June through August. Identification
A medium-size (2.4-3.5 cm wingspan) maroon and purple-grey moth, with pale greenish patches in fresh specimens. The pale green or whitish basal area bordered by a doubled black antemedian line on the forewing is…
A medium-size (2.4-3.5 cm wingspan) maroon and purple-grey moth, with pale greenish patches in fresh specimens. The pale green or whitish basal area bordered by a doubled black antemedian line on the forewing is diagnostic. The reniform spot is a prominent thin vertical black bar, and there are usually two small white wedges on the lower edge of the forewing margin, a black sub-apical mark on the costa, and small black spots or wedges in the subterminal area. The hindwing is dirty white shaded with grey in males, darker grey in females. The male antennae are moderately pectinate to the mid-point, then abruptly simple. The most common and widespread member of the genus. See also Schizura leptinoides and S. ipomoeae.
Life History
Adults have a very extended emergence, or perhaps overlapping broods, beginning in late May. Larvae appear in late June and both stages can be found until August, larvae into September. The larvae are solitary…
Adults have a very extended emergence, or perhaps overlapping broods, beginning in late May. Larvae appear in late June and both stages can be found until August, larvae into September. The larvae are solitary defoliators of a variety of deciduous trees and shrubs. They overwinter as pupae. The caterpillars in this genus are unusual in that they can eject a stream of formic acid for up to several inches from a gland in the hump.
Conservation A fairly common, widespread species; no concerns. Diet Info
No Alberta data available. Elsewhere reported to utilize a wide variety of deciduous trees and shrubs. Canadian records (Prentice et al, 1962) show a strong preference for white birch (Betula papyrifera) and willows…
No Alberta data available. Elsewhere reported to utilize a wide variety of deciduous trees and shrubs. Canadian records (Prentice et al, 1962) show a strong preference for white birch (Betula papyrifera) and willows (Salix sp.).
Range Nova Scotia to BC, south to Florida, Texas and Utah. Found throughout Alberta, from the Precambrian Shield north of Lake Athabasca to the river valleys of the arid plains.

Citation

Page Citation for Schizura unicornis

Page Citation

"Species Details - Schizura unicornis, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-461. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Authorship

Name Anweiler, G. G.
Role species page author

References

Specimen Information

There are 128 specimens of this Species.

128 results plotted on map in 50 markers.
Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.

UASM2819 - Schizura unicornis

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1947-06-17

UASM2821 - Schizura unicornis

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1919-06-08

UASM2822 - Schizura unicornis

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1932-06-20

UASM2823 - Schizura unicornis

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1944-05-29

UASM2838 - Schizura unicornis

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1950-06-20

UASM2839 - Schizura unicornis

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1944-06-09

UASM2841 - Schizura unicornis

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1918-06-11

UASM2842 - Schizura unicornis

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1938-07-19

UASM2845 - Schizura unicornis

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1919-06-14

UASM2849 - Schizura unicornis

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1949-08-05

UASM2865 - Schizura unicornis

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1941-06-08

UASM2866 - Schizura unicornis

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1946-07-11

UASM2874 - Schizura unicornis

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1942-05-22

UASM2875 - Schizura unicornis

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1953-07-01

UASM2888 - Schizura unicornis

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Date Collected1918-06-10

UASM2889 - Schizura unicornis

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Red Deer Collected ByCrosby, G. C. S. Date Collected1922-06-13

UASM2890 - Schizura unicornis

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1919-05-26

UASM2891 - Schizura unicornis

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Date Collected1918-06-17

UASM2892 - Schizura unicornis

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Date Collected1918-06-13

UASM2893 - Schizura unicornis

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Date Collected1918-06-09

UASM2894 - Schizura unicornis

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByFuller, E. Date Collected1993-06-14

Adult Seasonal Distribution