Green-dusted Zale

Appearance

Forewings blackish-brown to coal black, variably dusted with pale green or whitish speckles mostly beyond AM line, and in ST and terminal areas; lines fine, black, lower ST line heaviest. Wingspan 35-43 mm.

Naming

Zale aeruginosa (Guenée, 1852)
Ypsia aeruginosa Guenee, 1852
Phaeocyma aeruginosa Smith, 1913
Homoptera plenipennis Walker, 1858
Zale nigrior Strand, 1917

From the Latin "aerugnisosus" (resembling rust of copper), from "aerugo" (rust of copper); a bluish-green color - refers to the forewings, which appear to be dusted with bluish-green flakes of copper rust.

Distribution

Ontario to Nova Scotia, south to Florida, west to Texas.

Habitat

Barens, pocosins, woodlands, and forests.

Reproduction

Two generations per year in the south; one in the north.

Food

Larvae feed on leaves of white and live oak, and blueberry, Covell adds spruce.