Ottawa (Dunrobin), ON Canada 18 July 2001
12:17AM
EST (top)
28 July 2001 11:05PM EST (center left)
28 July 2001 11:06PM EST (center right)
18 July 2001
12:15AM EST (bottom) The top and bottom photos are of the same
specimen; the two center photos are similarly of one specimen. Oligocentria
semirufescens is one of two species of Oligocentria
that may occur in my general area, both of which are illustrated on this web
site.
Covell (1984) calls Oligocentria semirufescens the Red-Washed
Prominent, in view of overall reddish coloration of its forewings.
Covell describes the forewing as gray, with variable dark grayish brown
shading along the inner margin and costa, sometimes over almost the entire
wing as in the center photos above. In all the specimens above, I
would describe the shading as more reddish brown than grayish brown.
Spots and lines are obscure, although the reniform spot is marked by a
noticeable black dot. A black basal dash can be seen but is not
especially obvious in the specimens illustrated here. What can be
seen of the hind wing in the photos at top and center right is a yellowish
white with some shading evident near the anal angle.
It should be noted that this is not the only local Notodontid species
with reddish coloration washed across the wing, but its larger size and
other characteristics should make Oligocentria semirufescens fairly
easy to distinguish from the "Red-Humped Caterpillar Moth," Schizura
concinna (8010), which is also illustrated on this web site.
At rest, Oligocentria semirufescens often holds its wings in a
"tent" position, but occasionally takes a more flattened position as
in the top and center right photos.
The larvae of Oligocentria semirufescens feed on a variety of deciduous
trees and shrubs, including apple, beech, birch, poplar, willow, rose and
other species. According to Handfield (1999), the flight season in my general
area is from mid-June to mid-August.
I have photographed this species in 2001 on 16 June, and on 18 and 28
July; in 2002, on 16, 17 and 21 July. | 
