White-dotted Prominent

The White-dotted Prominent is a forest moth that may go by many names, but its preference for oak trees is the same regardless.

The warm brown wings of the White-dotted Prominent are marked with two small white dots. Thin, dark lines break the wings into thirds and this pair of dots is centered in the middle section. It has a thick, furry thorax that forms a hump most visible on its profile (as opposed to overhead). This coarse part of its body may have inspired an additional common name: the Rough Prominent.

Another common name stems from the color and preferred food of its larva. This caterpillar is also known as a Green Oak Caterpillar, and it chews on the leaves of oak trees. It also eats birch, alder, maple, willow, plum, and cherry tree leaves. It is a pale green color with a fleshy body and its green head has yellow and black mouth parts. The entire caterpillar becomes a dark purple-brown as it matures. It tends to curl into the shape of the number nine when threatened. At least two broods are produced each year; more in the warmer part of its range.

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Lepidoptera

Family: Notodontidae

Genus: Nadata

Species: gibbosa

Identifying Information

Scientific Name: Nadata gibbosa

Other Name(s): Green Oak Caterpillar Moth, Rough Prominent

Category: Butterfly or Moth

Size (Adult; Length): 20mm to 30mm (0.78in to 1.17in)

Colors: brown, white

Descriptors: lines, twin, two, white, dots, hump, bump, furry, flying

Territorial Map

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Territorial Reach (A-to-Z)

Newfoundland and Labrador

Note: An insect's reach is not limited by lines drawn on a map and therefore species may appear in areas, regions and/or states beyond those listed above as they are driven by environmental factors (such as climate change), available food supplies and mating patterns. Grayed-out selections indicate that the subject in question has not been reported in that particular territory. U.S. states and Canadian provinces / territories are clickable to their respective bug listings.

Butterfly and Moth Anatomy

Graphic showing basic anatomy of a common North American butterfly and moth insect

Antennae: Butterflies and Moths have a pair of antennae on the head used as sensors.

Head: The head is home to the insect's eyes, antennae, and proboscis.

Thorax: Home to the three pairs of legs as well as vital internal organs.

Abdomen: Contains vital internal organs such as the heart(s) and reproduction facilities.

Forewing: The upper, forward wing pair used for flying.

Hindwing: The lower, rearward wing pair used for flying.

NOTE: Butterflies and Moths are part of the Lepidopteran order as they share many similarities.

White-dotted Prominent (Nadata gibbosa)

The White-dotted Prominent is a forest moth that may go by many names, but its preference for oak trees is the same regardless.