Ottawa (Dunrobin), ON Canada

10 August 2002   12:14AM EST  (top left)
16 June 2001   9:42AM EST  (top right)
16 June 2001   9:40AM EST  (bottom left)
16 June 2001   9:41AM EST  (bottom right)

The top right and bottom right and left photographs are of the same individual.

Schizura leptinoides is one of about half a dozen species of Schizura that may occur in my general area, most of which are illustrated on this web site.

Covell (1984) calls Schizura leptinoides the Black-Blotched Schizura, in view of its reniform spot, which is black followed by a blackish shade.  Overall, the forewing is medium to dark gray, somewhat lighter and tinged with brown towards the inner margin.  The antemedial and postmedial lines are double and somewhat indistinct.  There is a prominent squarish light gray-white patch at the apex.  What can be seen of the hind wing in the first two photos above is a somewhat dirty white color.  Covell notes that the female has a dark gray hind wing.

At rest, Schizura leptinoides often holds its wings in a "tent" position, sometimes partly rolled around its body.  Occasionally, however, it may hold its wings in a more flattened position as in the top two photos.

The larvae of Schizura leptinoides feed on a variety of deciduous trees and shrubs, including apple, beech, birch, oak, poplar, butternut and other species.  According to Handfield (1999), the flight season in my general area is from early June to late July, although he mentions one occurrence in mid-August.  My own experience with this species has been quite different, with the majority of my observations to date in August.

I have photographed this species in 2000 on 22 August; in 2001, on 16 June; in 2002, on 8 June, on 24 July, and on 4, 5, 10 and 22 August.