Ottawa (Dunrobin), ON Canada

5 May 2003   8:32PM EST  (top)
5 May 2003   8:33PM EST  (center left)
10 April 2003   6:56PM EST  (center right)
26 March 2003  (bottom)

The photos at top and center left are of the same specimen.  The specimen shown in the bottom photo was first photographed on 25 March 2003, captured, photographed again the following day, and released.

Xylena curvimacula is one of three species of Xylena that may occur in my general area.  The upper half of the forewing is predominantly a cream tan in color, marked with a series of concentric brown loops extending outward from the base.  Below the loops, the black U-shaped orbicular spot interrupts the tan streak, followed closely by a brown U-shaped reniform spot.  The lower half of the forewing is dark brown from base to subterminal line.  The postmedial line is marked only by a row of small black dots.  The area beyond the subterminal line is creamy tan.  The thorax is a rich reddish brown.  The hindwing is medium-dark brown, with a pale fringe.  The underside of the wings can be seen in the center right photo above.

At rest, Xylena curvimacula holds its wings crossed and fairly flat, looking more or less rectangular when viewed from above.  Although Xylena curvimacula is superficially similar to Xylena nupera (9873), it can easily be distinguished by the presence of the concentric loops marking the tan area of the forewing.

The larvae of Xylena curvimacula feed on a variety of trees and shrubs, including alder, poplar, willow, birch and cherry.  Covell (1983) also mentions dandelion as a food plant.  According to Handfield (1999), this species hibernates as an adult, with flight seasons from late March nearly to mid-June, and from mid-September to mid-October.

I have photographed this species in 2003, on 25-26 March, on 10, 14 and 18 April, and on 5, 11 and 16 May.