STRIPED GARDEN CATERPILLAR MOTH
Trichordestra legitima
OWLET MOTHS (Noctuidae)
Description
The Striped Garden Caterpillar Moth has a wingspan of 1 to 1.5 inches (25 - 39 mm). The inner half of the forewing is pale gray with reddish-brown shading in the median area and along costa. The claviform spot is a black triangle. The reniform spot is reddish brown shading to black at the lower end. The orbicular spot is gray with a rectangular shape. The hindwing is pale tan shading to brown in the subterminal area. The caterpillar is brown with a pair of yellow dorsal stripes edged in black. The head is orange. It grows to 1 inch (35 mm).
Occurrence
The frequency of occurrence at Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods is not known. It has been photographed once at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center in late August 2015. Adults fly June through September. Caterpillars are found in late summer through fall.
Comments
The larvae eat a wide variety of woody and herbaceous plants including asparagus, aster, bean, cherry, clover, dogbane, goldenrod, grasses, violet, willow and yarrow. The species overwinters in the pupal stage.
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is: Babs Padelford.
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