NEWMAN'S BROCADE
Meropleon ambifusca
OWLET MOTHS (Noctuidae)
Description
The Newman’s Brocade moth has a wingspan of about 1.25 inches. The forewing is brown or gray with a reddish-brown band in the median area. There are thick, black dashes in the basal and median areas. The orbicular and reniform spots are separated by a black patch. The hindwing is whitish and pale gray. The caterpillar, which is a borer, is cream-colored with a small, black head. The black spiracle on abdominal segment 9 is elevated above the others.
Occurrence
This moth is probably uncommon in this area. It has been photographed once at Neale Woods in early September 2012. The adults fly from late August to late September. There is one generation a year.
Comments
The food plant is unknown, but is believed to be sedges and grasses. It has been found feeding within Big Bluestem (Owlet Caterpillars of Eastern North America,” Wagner, Schweitzer, Sullivan & Reardon).
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