Nature Trivia- Moths of Arkansas, Erebidae

Families of Moths

Acrolophidae
Arctiidae
Bombycidae
Cosmopterigidae
Crambidae
Drepanidae
Gelechiidae
Geometridae
Lacturidae
Lasiocampidae
Limacodidae
Lymantriidae
Megalopygidae
Noctuidae
Nolidae
Notodontidae
Oecophoridae
Pyralidae
Saturniidae
Sphingidae
Thyrididae
Tortricidae
Yponomeutidae

 Family Erebidae

 Curve-lined Owlet (Phyprosopus callitrichoides)

Primary food plants:

Larvae feed on the leaves of greenbriars. 

Wingspan:

1 1/10 - 1 2/5 in. (2.8 - 3.5 cm) 

Season:

May - August

Description:

The forewings are orangish-brown to purplish-gray, often with one color blending into another.  The thin, brown postmedial line curves from the tips of the wings to the midpoint of the inner margin and is bordered by white on both sides.

 Large Necklace Moth (Hypsoropha monilis)

Primary food plants:

Larvae feed on persimmon trees. 

Wingspan:

1 3/10 - 1 7/10 in. (3.2 - 4.2 cm)

Season:

April - August 

Description:

Forewings are light brown with orange at the base and along the edges and four white spots positioned near the inside of the lower half of the postmedial line.  A row of fainter white spots are located near the apex of the wing.  Hindwings are pale orange with darker shading toward the outer margin.  The antennae are bipectinate in both males and females.

 Small Necklace Moth (Hypsoropha hormos)

Primary food plants:

Larvae feed on the leaves of sassafras and persimmon.  

Wingspan:

1 - 1 2/5 in. (2.5 - 3.5 cm) 

Season:

May - August

Description:

Three to four white spots extend in a curved line from the inner edges of the dark brownish forewings.  Some violet-gray tinting may be present. 

 Moonseed Moth (Plusiodonta compressipalpis)

Primary food plants:

Larvae feed on persimmon trees. 

Wingspan:

1 - 1 5/16 in. (2.5 - 3.3 cm)

Season:

April - September

Description:

Forewings are grayish-brown with brown shading and characteristic gold loops located at the top and bottom of the wings.  The brown shading at the center of the wings tapers downward and ends in a large scale tuft projecting from the inner edge of the forewing.  Hindwings are yellowish-brown. 

 Ilia Underwing (Catocala ilia)
-form "conspicua" shown at center

Primary food plants:

Larvae feed on the leaves of red, black, and white oaks.

Wingspan:

2 3/5 - 3 3/10 in. (6.5 - 8.2 cm) 

Season:

May - September 

Description:

The coloration of the forewings is variable and may be mottled dark grayish to blackish, generally with some white located in the middle area.  A feature of this species is the white border encircling the reniform spot, although this spot may be completely white in some forms (as seen in form "conspicua" - right photo).  The hindwings are decorated with a reddish-orange band, which is conspicuously scalloped near the inner margin.  Pale orange fringe edges the hindwings.

Ultronia Underwing (Catocala ultronia)

Woody Underwing (Catocala grynea)

Little Bride Underwing (Catocala micronympha)

Clinton's Underwing (Catocala clintoni)
 

Primary food plants:

Larvae feed on the leaves of plum trees, apple trees, and hawthorns.

Wingspan:

1 3/4 - 2 1/5 in. (4.5 - 5.5 cm)

Season:

April - July 

Description:

 Forewing markings include sharp, black dashes located at the base of the pale gray wings and less distinct dashes positioned above the wingtips and at the inside edges of the wings.  Lines are black and incomplete.  The pale yellowish-orange hindwings are crossed by black bands.

Black Bit Moth (Celiptera frustulum)

 Figure-Seven Moth (Drasteria grandirena)

Vetch Looper Moth (Caenurgia chloropha)

 Velvetbean Caterpillar Moth (Anticarsia gemmatalis)

Primary food plants:

Larvae (Velvetbean Caterpillars) are pests of soybeans, velvetbeans, peanuts, alfalfa (and relatives), and of black locust. 

Wingspan:

1 3/10 - 1 3/5 in. (3.3 - 4.0 cm)

Season:

September - November  

Description:

Wing patterns are highly variable, ranging from pale to dark grayish-brown or olive with mottling.  The blackish postmedial line crosses the forewings from the wingtips to the inner margin and continues onto the hindwings as the median line.  Note also the line curving from the leading edge of the forewing to the tip of the forewing.

 Lunate Zale (Zale lunata)

Primary food plants:

 Larvae feed on the leaves of a variety of shrubs and trees, including willows, maples, and plum trees.

Wingspan:

 1 9/16 - 2 1/5 in. (4.0 - 5.5 cm) 

Season:

March - November (or frost)

Description:

Dark brown wings are shaded with blackish-brown.  Wings are decorated with a variable pattern of wavy lines and a black, lunate reniform spot.  The thin, black postmedial line bulges twice, and the stationary line curves from the outer edge to the inner edge of the wing.

Maple Zale (Zale galbanata)
 

Primary food plants:

Larvae feed on the leaves of maples.

Wingspan:

1 1/5 - 1 3/5 in. (2.9 - 4.1 cm)

Season:

April - September

Description:

The median area of the gray to grayish-brown wings may be tinted with orangish-yellow.  Diagnostic characters include two bulges in the thin, black postmedial line near the leading edge of the wings.  The stationary line is generally the thickest line with the area from the inside edge to the center being the thickest section of the line.

 Horrid Zale (Zale horrida)

Primary food plants:

Larvae feed on the leaves of nannyberry. 

Wingspan:

1 2/5 - 1 9/16 in. (3.5 - 4.0 cm)

Season:

April - July

Description:

The forewings are divided into an inner blackish-brown area and an outer cream-colored area by the wavy stationary line.  A scalloped stationary line also divides the hindwings into a darkly colored inner region and a more lightly colored outer region.  Pale areas are dusted with brown. 

Oblique Zale (Zale obliqua) 

 Moon-Lined Moth (Spiloloma lunilinea)

Primary food plants:

 Larvae feed on the leaves of honey locust.

Wingspan:

1 3/4 - 2 1/6 in. (4.4 - 5.4 cm)

Season:

April - August

Description:

Pale gray wings are shaded with a variable amount of light brown in the lower stationary area, at the inner angle of the forewings, and on the majority of the hindwing area.  Distinguishing characteristics include five blackish spots positioned along the leading edges of the forewings and a black collar.

 Maple Looper Moth  (Parallelia bistriaris)

Primary food plants:

Larvae (Maple Loopers) feed on the leaves of red and white maples and black walnut trees.

Wingspan:

1 3/10 - 1 7/10 in. (3.3 - 4.3 cm)

Season:

 April - September 

Description:

Two yellowish lines, the straight antemedial and the somewhat wavy postmedial lines, mark the dark brown forewings of this species.  Another diagnostic characteristic of the Maple Looper Moth is the pale dusting of color beyond the indistinct stationary line near the bottom of the wings.  

 Red-lined Panopoda (Panopoda rufimargo)

Primary food plants:

Larvae feed on the leaves of oaks and beeches.

Wingspan:

1 9/16 - 1 5/6 in. (4.0 - 4.6 cm) 

Season:

May - September 

Description:

Orangish-yellow wings are shaded with brown or dull reddish and are crossed by yellow antemedial and postmedial lines edged with red or grayish-brown.  The slender, yellowish reniform spot frequently has a black blotch located in the lower half, and the orbicular spot is gray. 

Brown Panopoda (Panopoda carneicosta)

 Smith's Darkwing  (Dysgonia smithii)

Primary food plants:

Unrecorded. 

Wingspan:

1 1/2 - 1 3/5 in. (3.8 - 4.0 cm)

Season:

April - September 

Description:

The light brown forewings are marked by a blackish postmedial line with two sharply pointed indentations, a blackish antemedial line, and a prominent black dash at the tips of the wings.  Blackish shading is located above the antemedial and postmedial lines.

 False Underwing  (Allotria elonympha)

Primary food plants:

Larvae feed on the leaves of walnut, hickory, black gum, and sour-gum trees.

Wingspan:

1 3/10 - 1 3/4  in. (3.3 - 4.5 cm)

Season:

March - September 

Description:

This species is identified by the yellow hindwings with even, dark banding on the outer edge.  Mottled gray forewings are decorated by black lines and black orbicular dots (not present on the forewings of true underwings).

 Short-lined Chocolate (Argyrostrotis anilis)

Primary food plants:

Larvae feed on the leaves of plants belonging to the genus Sabatia. 

Wingspan:

1 1/10 - 1 1/2 in. (2.7 - 3.7 cm)

Season:

April - September

Description:

A distinct, white antemedial line crosses the dark brown forewings at an angle.  The white postmedial line is incomplete and curves slightly.

 Decorated Owlet (Pangrapta decoralis)

Primary food plants:

Larvae feed on the leaves of blueberries. 

Wingspan:

4/5  - 1 1/10 in. (2.0 - 2.8 cm)

Season:

May - September 

Description:

Both forewings and hindwings are mottled shades of brown, yellow, and violet.  Notable markings on the forewings include the doubled postmedial line and the black reniform spot.  Notice the scalloped margins of the hindwings and the sharp, black discal spot and distinct median line.

 Lost Owlet (Ledaea perditalis)

Primary food plants:

Larvae feed on the leaves of woolgrass (Scirpus cyperinus).

Wingspan:

9/10 - 1 in. (2.3 - 2.6 cm)

Season:

April - August

Description:

Pale grayish-brown to tan forewings are marked by a conspicous blackish postmedial line.  In males, only the lower half of this line is thicker.  In contrast, the postmedial line is thick all the way to the apex of the forewings in females.  

 Four-spotted Fungus Moth (Metalectra quadrisignata)

Primary food plants:

Recorded feeding on a species of bracket fungus.  

Wingspan:

1 - 1 2/5 in. (2.5 - 3.5 cm) 

Season:

April - early August

Description:

Grayish-brown forewings and hindwings are highlighted with iridescent purplish to reddish colors.  The forewings are marked by double, black median lines and a diffuse reniform spot.  Prominent markings on the hindwings include double, black median lines and diffuse discal spots.

Eyed Paectes (Paectes oculatrix)

Primary food plants:

Larvae feed on the leaves of poison ivy.

Wingspan:

9/10 - 1 in. ( 2.3 - 2.5 cm)

Season:

May - August

Description:

A distinguishing characteristic of this species is the rounded "eye" pattern located at the outer margin of the gray forewing.  The hindwings are grayish-brown.

Large Paectes (Paectes abrostoloides)
 

Primary food plants:

Larvae feed on the leaves of sweetgums.

Wingspan:

 1 1/10 - 1 1/4 in. (2.7 - 3.2 cm)

Season:

April - October 

Description:

The background of the wings is dark brown with bluish-gray shading and is often a more pale shade of brown near the base of the wings.  The scalloped postmedial line curves outward from the inside edge of the wing to the apex and angles sharply back toward the leading edge of the wing.  A black blotch is located near the wing tip.

Dark Marathyssa (Marathyssa inficita)
 

Primary food plants:

Wingspan:

1 - 1 1/10 in. (2.5 - 2.8 cm)

Season:

May - September

Description:

The gray forewings are shaded with brown and reddish-brown at the wingtips.  Hindwings are grayish-brown.

Zanclognatha atrilineela 

Discolored Renia (Renia discoloralis)
 

Primary food plants:

Larvae feed on the dead leaves of trees.

Wingspan:

1 - 1 3/5 in. (2.5 - 3.9 cm)

Season:

May - August

Description:

A dark brown band crosses the center of the grayish-brown forewings.  Note the deeply scalloped lines. 

American Idia (Idia americalis)
 

Primary food plants:

Larvae feed on lichens.

Wingspan:

4/5 - 1 1/5 in. (2.0 - 3.0 cm)

Season:

April - November

Description:

The whitish-gray forewings have some yellowish tints located at the outer areas and a reniform spot filled with yellow.  Lines are sharp, jagged, and are thickest near the leading edges of the wings.  Three black lines cross the hindwings.

Dark-Banded Owlet  (Phalaenophana pyramusalis)

Primary food plants:

Larvae feed on dried or wilted leaves

Wingspan:

5/6 - 1 in. (2.1 - 2.5 cm)

Season:

April - August

Description:

Forewings are cream-colored with gray to grayish-brown bands.  The bands are most visible at the areas beyond the straight antemedial and the wavy postmedial lines.  Note the presence of a black dot located at the lower end of the reniform spot.

Bent-winged Owlet (Bleptina caradrinalis)

Primary food plants:

Larvae feed on the leaves of hickories, clover, and barberry, in addition to the dead leaves of a variety of plants.   

Wingspan:

Wingspan :  7/8 - 1 3/10 in. (2.2 - 3.2 cm)

Season:

April - September

Description:

Grayish forewings shaded with brown are marked by wavy antemedial and postmedial lines.  Notice the distinct, black reniform spot and yellowish stationary line.  Other forewing markings include a diffuse median line and a small, black orbicular spot. 

Smoky Tetanolita (Tetanolita mynesalis)

Primary food plants:

Larvae most likely feed on dead leaves. 

Wingspan:

4/5 - 1 in. (2.0 - 2.5 cm) 

Season:

May - November

Description:

A light yellow reniform spot contrasts sharply with the shiny, blackish background of the forewings.  Lines are also blackish and may be accented with white.  Hindwings are pale grayish-brown. 

Florida Tetanolita (Tetanolita floridana)

Primary food plants:

Larvae most likely feed on dead leaves. 

Wingspan:

2.0 - 2.4 cm (4/5 - about 1 in.)

Season:

April - October

Description:

The pale gray forewings of the Florida Tetanolita are accented with narrow, orange reniform spots.  Similar species: The forewings of  the Smoky Tetanolita (Tetanolita mynesalis) are a darker blackish color with conspicuous, yellowish reniform spots.

Faint-spotted Palthis (Palthis asopialis)

Primary food plants:

Larvae feed on the leaves of beans, corn, and oaks. 

Wingspan:

3/4 -  9/10 in. (1.9 - 2.3 cm) 

Season:

April - November

Description:

A blackish-brown median line crosses the gray forewings but does not reach the outside edges of the wings.  The small, black reniform spot and the black subapical patch positioned below the yellow stationary line are distinct markings on the forewings.  The specimen shown in the photo on the right is a worn specimen. 

Mottled Bomolocha (Hypena (=Bomolocha) palparia)

Primary food plants:

Larvae feed on oaks.

Wingspan:

1 1/10 - 1 3/10 in. (2.7 - 3.3 cm)

Season:

March - October

Description:

Forewings are grayish-brown with a dark brown patch located at the center and extending to the inner margin of the wings.  The bottom of the wings is edged with a blackish-brown dashed line.

Gray-edged Bomolocha (Hypena (=Bomolocha) madefactalis)
 

Primary food plants:

Larvae feed on the leaves of walnut trees. 

Wingspan:

1 - 1 3/10 in.  (2.5 - 3.2 cm)

Season:

April - August 

Description:

Males and females are sexually dimorphic.  The pale, grayish-brown forewings of females are shaded with pinkish-gray in the basal and stationary areas.  In contrast, the forewings of males are grayish-brown to blackish brown with no pink shading.

White-lined Bomolocha (Hypena (=Bomolocha) abalienalis)

Primary food plants:

Larvae feed on the leaves of slippery elm.

Wingspan:

1 - 1 3/10 in. (2.5 - 3.3 cm)

Season:

April - August

Description:

The forewings of males are blackish, and those of females are dark, orangish-brown.  The white postmedial line of both sexes is doubled and is broadly rounded.  Hindwings are gray.

Flowing-line Bomolocha (Hypena (=Bomolocha) manalis)

Primary food plants:

Unrecorded.

Wingspan:

9/10 - 1 1/10 in. (2.3 - 2.8 cm)

Season:

March - October

Description:

A sharply defined, blackish-brown patch is located at the middle of the yellowish or grayish-brown forewings and does not extend to the inner margin of the wings.  The hindwings are grayish-brown.

Baltimore Bomolocha (Hypena (=Bomolocha) baltimoralis)

Primary food plants:

Larvae feed on the leaves of maples.

Wingspan:

1 - 1 3/10 in. (2.6 - 3.2 cm)

Season:

April - October

Description:

The background of the forewings is grayish-brown with a blackish-brown dash located at the tips of the wings.  A large, darkly-colored patch extends from the base of the wings to the middle area but does not touch the inner margin.  Generally, this patch is outlined with white.  The hindwings are grayish-brown.

Dimorphic Bomolocha (Hypena (=Bomolocha) bijugalis)

Primary food plants:

Larvae feed on the leaves of dogwood trees.  

Wingspan:

1 - 1 1/4 in. (2.4 - 3.1 cm) 

Season:

April - September (or frost)

Description:

Males and females differ in coloration.  Males have blackish-brown forewings with a white spot on the inner margin (left photo).  The forewings of females are grayish-brown with a blackish-brown dash located at the tips of the wings and a large, brownish-black patch located at the center (right photo).  The postmedial line has a single tooth.  The hindwings are dark grayish-brown.

Green Cloverworm Moth (Plathypena scabra)

Primary food plants:

Larvae (Green Cloverworms) feed on the leaves of legumes, such as clover, alfalfa, and beans, as well as strawberry and raspberry plants. 

Wingspan:

1 - 1 2/5 in. (2.5 - 3.5 cm)

Season:

Although most common in summer, adults fly during warm periods throughout the year.

Description:

The drab, blackish-brown forewings are narrow, and the hindwings are broad.  Forewing pattern varies from sharp to dull.  The postmedial line is wavy with a characteristic bulge near the leading edge of the wing.

 Dead-wood Borer Moth (Scolecocampa liburna)

Primary food plants:

Larvae bore into the decaying wood of oaks and hickories, possibly feeding on the fungus located inside the wood. 

Wingspan:

1 2/5 - 1 7/10 in. (3.5 - 4.3 cm) 

Season:

April - October

Description:

Faint, brownish lines with some black accents mark the light tan-colored forewings.  The terminal line consists of a row of black dots.  Spots on the forewings include reniform spots edged with black; indistinct, double black markings located near the lower edges of the wings; and single black orbicular and basal dots.

Thin-lined Owlet (Isogona tenuis) 

Primary food plants:

Larvae feed on the leaves of hackberry.

Wingspan:

1 1/10  - 1 1/5 in. (2.8 - 3.0 cm)

Season:

May - August

Description:

The slightly mottled, grayish forewings are darker toward the leading edges of the wings and are decorated with yellowish-white veins, lines, and reniform spots.  The antemedial line is somewhat straight, and the postmedial line is y-shaped with branches leading to the wingtips and to the costa.  A yellowish-white median line crosses the dark grayish hindwings.

Brimley's Abablemma Moth (Abablemma brimleyana)