SIX-SPOTTED GRAY
Spargaloma sexpunctata
OWLET MOTH FAMILY (Erebidae)
Description
The Six-spotted Gray has a wingspan of approximately 1 inch. The forewing is pale gray with a brown median band. Near the apex there is a narrow, black triangle underlined with white. The hindwing is brownish-gray with 2 wavy bands going through the middle of the wing. The terminal line on both wings are black dashes. The caterpillar is plain pale green, smooth and transparent. The head is small, pale green and unmarked. The anal prolegs are stout and are projected backward. The larva grows to about 1 inch.
Occurrence
The frequency of occurrence in this area is not known. One moth has been seen and photographed at Camp Logan Fontenelle in Fontenelle Forest in mid-June 2015. Adults fly from May to August.
Comments
The larvae eat the leaves of Dogbane. The species overwinters as a pupa. Sexpunctata is the only species in the genus Spargaloma in North America.
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is: Babs Padelford.
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