Symmerista albifrons

(Smith, 1797)
White-headed Prominent

Sort #: 2108 | P #: 930127 | MPG #: 7951 | PFG Page #: 286
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Larval feeding type: External feeder
Larval substrate: Quercus (Oak)
Phenology: Adult: 5/30 to 9/09 (119 records)

Comment: Adult Symmerista can only be identified by dissection (or brushing the tip of the abdomen). Larvae of albifrons and canicosta can also not be distinguished (both have black lines down the back, compared to the three of leucitys. Note that the Forbes (1948) Lepidoptera of New York and neighboring States, Part II (p.223), has the Symmerista phallus illustrations incorrect. The phallus of S. leucitys is under the name canicosta and vice-versa. Correct illustrations are given on the Bugguide.net pages for these species

Status in MA (automated assessment): Fairly widespread, common
Status in N. America: Native
MA Endangered Species Act status: None
First Year Reported: 1833
Last Year Reported: 2025

Distribution by County: Berkshire, Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, Worcester, Middlesex, Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bristol, Plymouth, Barnstable, Dukes, Nantucket
Number of Records: 417