GOLDENROD HOODED OWLET
Cucullia asteroides
OWLET MOTH FAMILY (Noctuidae)
Description
The Goldenrod Hooded Owlet has a wingspan of approximately 2 inches. The forewing is gray with a dark reddish brown border on the costa that broadens at the apex. The PM line is reduced to a whitish crescent at the inner margin. The hindwing is white with a grayish-brown border. The head has a hood-like structure formed by scales. The larva is highly variable, but is usually bright green or brown with black and white stripes. The middorsal stripe is yellow. The mature caterpillar grows to 1.75 inches.
Occurrence
The frequency of occurrence is not kown. The individual shown here was photogrpahed at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center in early September. Adults fly from May to September.
Comments
The larva, which is called the Asteroid, feeds primarily on the flowers of goldenrod and aster. It overwinters in the pupal stage in a tough underground cocoon.
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is: Babs Padelford.
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