PALE-WINGED MIDGET
Elaphria alapallida
OWLET MOTH FAMILY (Noctuidae)
Description
The Pale-winged Midget is about one inch in length. The forewing is light brown with contrasting warm brown patches at the inner margin subterminal area. There is a small hollow claviform spot which is outlined in black. The curved white reniform spot has black patches on either side. The subterminal area has grayish-white patches at costa and inner margin just outside of the post median line. The hindwing is pale brown to dark grayish-brown. The caterpillar is brown and smooth. The head is small relative to the swollen thoracic segments. Abdominal segment 8 is humped. The head often has white frontal lines.
Occurrence
The frequency of occurrence is not known. It was photographed at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center in late July 2014. Adults fly from May to July. There is one generation a year. Adults are attracted to lights.
Comments
The larval food is probably Box-elder and Manitoba Maple. This is a new species which was split from E. festivoides in 2003. The two species are very similar in appearance and are best distinguished by geographic range and genitalic differences.
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is: Babs Padelford.
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