Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012) | Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD | Technical Description, Adults: Forbes (1948) | Technical Description, Immature Stages: Forbes (1948); Wagner et al. (2001); Wagner (2005) | |
Adult Markings: The male is a large brown, almost translucent species unlike anything else in our fauna. The female is virtually wingless, black and white. |
Wingspan: 40 mm (Forbes, 1948) |
Adult Structural Features: Only male specimens have been captured in North Carolina and their genitalia are distinct. It is unlikely that adults would be confused with any other in our fauna based on external features, and the same is true of the male genitalia. |
Structural photos |
![](photos_structures/2017/tn6665.00_1492014475.jpg) Male reproductive structures. Specimen collected November 9, 2001, Macon County, dissected by J.B. Sullivan |
![](photos_structures/2017/tn6665.00_1492014516.jpg) Aedeagus. Specimen collected November 9, 2001, Macon County, dissected by J.B. Sullivan |
![](photos_structures/2017/tn6665.00_1492014545.jpg) Abdominal pelt. Specimen collected November 9, 2001, Macon County, dissected by J.B. Sullivan |
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Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens. |
Immatures and Development: Caterpillars are distinct, yellowish ventrally, blackish or brownish dorsally with narrow longitudinal stripes. Eggs are placed on trunks and hatch early in the following spring. |
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants. |