Lappet Moth
 
Location: Sheep River Station, AB
Date: June 22, 2008
               
       Photo 1

Lappet Moth

Common Name:  Lappet Moth, American Lappet Moth

Latin Name:  Phyllodesma americana Harris, 1841
                        (R. Bercha, det., confirmed by G. Anweiler)

Wingspan:   29 - 49 mm

Range: Southern half of Alberta

Habitat: Various

Time of year seen: April to mid-August

Caterpillar's Diet: Alder, birch, oak, poplar, rose and willow

Other:   The Lappet Moth's wings have scalloped outer margins with white highlighting in each scallop.  When the moth is at rest it's forewings are held tent-like above it's abdomen and the hind wings are stuck out horizontally.  Forewing coloration ranges from reddish to blue-gray to yellow-brown with white and violet markings.  (Covell, 1984)

 
         
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