University of Alberta Museums Search

A medium-size (3.3-3.8 cm.ws) clear grey moth with fine black markings of the FW and shining white HW. The grey FW is crossed by a fine black basal line, a thicker black AM and a thinner, broken PM line. The wedge-shaped claviform, the orbicular and reniform spots are paler, and outlined in black scales. Also a small dark patch on mid-costa and near the apex, and a short thin black dash in the anal angle. HW shining white, with some darker scales along the veins and the outer margin. Sexes similar, except male antennae bipectinate, female simple.

Reported hosts include ash (Fraxinus sp.), Fringe-tree, and Feverwort. In the eastern part of our region native Green ash is the likely host, but elsewhere in AB it may use ash plantings, or another as yet to be identified tree. In the American southeast, Fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus) is the favored host, hence both the common and Latin names.

The Fringetree Sallow occurs in deciduous woodland, in particular riparian woodlands, but including plantations and farmyard shelterbelts, from late July through early September. It may easily be mistaken for a species of Acronicta.