INDOMITABLE MELIPOTIS
Melipotis indomita
OWLET MOTH FAMILY (Erebidae)
Description
The Indomitable Melipotis has a wingspan of 1.75 to 2 inches. The forewing is gray with a variable pattern of black and brown shading. There is a white oblique median band. The white reniform spot is large and crossed with dark veins. The subterminal area is pale gray. The hindwing is pale yellow with a blackish border. The brown larva is smooth with many fine black and white wavy stripes dorsally. There are 2 broader solid black sub-dorsal stripes. The head is dark brown. It grows to about 1.5 inches.
Occurrence
This moth is a southern species that strays into the Great Plains and is uncommon in this area. It was photographed at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center in late June 2015. The moth may be active during the day on flowers or rotting fruit. It is attracted to lights.
Comments
The host plant is Mesquite. The breeding range is California, Nevada, Texas to Kansas. Indomita is the most common and widest ranging of the Melipotis moth species.
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is: Babs Padelford.
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