Wing span: 43mm
Flight time: July
Description. FW ash-gray, with pale gray and brown shadings, brown particularly in pm-st area; small pale triangle extending along costa at apex; reniform extending upward toward costa, giving drop-like appearance. HW yellow-orange with black bands; outer band usually with widely separated anal spot. Two named forms, which are generally restricted to the southern portions of the range, are "aholah" Strecker (with prominent blackish FW patch between reni-form and pm line) and "isabella" H. Edwards (with light gray FW ground). 40-45 mm. H 35:2 ("aholah"), 3 (typical, as aholah). B & Mc 10: 6, 7 ("aholah"), 8 ("isabella").
Similar species. Recognizable in all varieties and forms by the distinctive triangular costo-apical patch and drop-shaped reni-form.
Range. Southern Canada (Ontario, Quebec), Maine (rare) to Florida and west throughout area.
Status. Generally uncommon to rare; somewhat sporadic; may fluctuate widely in abundance at any one place from year to year.
Larval foodplants. Oaks (Quercus). Found and reared on Post Oak (Q. stellata) (DFS).
Notes. Moth rests head-down on tree trunks.
Data from Legion of Night by Theodore Sargent.
Record # | Date | Locale | State | Lat/Lon | Collected By | Count |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
290239 | 2021-07-08 | Hitaga Sand Ridge Prairie Preserve | Iowa | 42.25145774 -91.63021403 | Jim Durbin | 1 |
19605 | 2004-07-16 | Behren's Pond Woodland State Preserve | Iowa | 42.118214 -91.754324 | Jim Durbin | 1 |
19606 | 2004-07-16 | Behren's Pond Woodland State Preserve | Iowa | 42.118214 -91.754324 | Jim Durbin | 1 |
19607 | 2004-07-16 | Behren's Pond Woodland State Preserve | Iowa | 42.118214 -91.754324 | Jim Durbin | 1 |