About Phyllodesma americana (Harris, 1841)
Phyllodesma americana, commonly known as the American lappet moth, is a moth species belonging to the family Lasiocampidae. This species has a wide distribution across North America, ranging from Nova Scotia to northern Florida, extending west through Texas to California, and reaching north to British Columbia and Yukon. The wingspan of adult American lappet moths measures between 29 and 49 mm. In the southern portion of its range, adults are active from March to September, producing two generations per year. In eastern Ontario, adult moths are on wing from May to July, while in Ohio the flight season runs from April to August. In the northernmost parts of the species' range, there is only one generation produced each year. The larvae of Phyllodesma americana feed on the leaves of Alnus, Betula, Quercus, Populus, Salix, Ceanothus velutinus, Chrysolepis chrysophylla, and species belonging to Rosoideae.
