Turkey Prominent
Common NameTurkey Prominent
Scientific NameLepidodes gallopavo
FamilyNotodontidae
SubfamilyNotodontinae
Wingspan (mm)40
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsbrown, yellowish-brown, dark brown
HabitatDeciduous forests, woodlands
Geographic RangeSoutheastern United States (Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia)
Host PlantsOak (Quercus spp.)
Flight PeriodMarch to November
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesUndergoes complete metamorphosis; larvae are caterpillars that feed on oak leaves before pupating, typically in the soil.
Identification TipsKey features include the deeply textured and irregular wing surface resembling bark or a fungal growth, combined with its mottled brown and yellowish coloration and the characteristic prominent moth body shape.
Description
This moth has highly textured, rough forewings that mimic dead wood or bark, primarily in shades of brown and yellowish-brown, with a distinctive dark central area and a greenish-yellow base. Its overall appearance provides excellent camouflage.
