The Large Tolype moth has a wingspan of approximately 1.25 to 2.25 inches. The males are smaller than females. The body and legs are covered with thick, luxuriant white hair. The head, front and sides of the thorax are white. The middle of the thorax is covered with wiry, black scales. The wings are pale to dark gray with white veins and lines. The white PM line is broad and almost straight. The larvae grow to approximately 2 inches in length. They are gray with soft, whitish hairs and 2 reddish knobs on top of the 3rd thoracic segment. The abdomen is somewhat flattened with fleshy skin flaps on the prolegs (lappets).
The Large Tolype is uncommon at Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods. The individuals shown here were photographed at Fontenelle Forest in late September.
This Lappet moth has vestigial mouth parts and does not feed. The female covers the eggs with specialized scales from her abdomen. The larval food plants are apple, ash, basswood, elm, oak, plum and other trees.
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