VARIEGATED MIDGET
Elaphria versicolor
OWLET MOTHS (Noctuidae)
Description
The Variegated Midget Moth has a wingspan of approximately 1 inch (22-25 mm). The forewing is brown with a white kinked postmedial line that widens to a round mark on the costa. The indistinct orbicular and reniform spots are separated by a large black patch. The subterminal area is marked with an orange apical patch. The hindwing is grayish-brown. The caterpillar is brown to dark gray-brown with a variable pattern. The thorax is swollen. The body narrows to abdominal segment 6, then thickens again toward the rear. Abdominal segment 8 is raised. It grows to almost an inch.
Occurrence
The frequency of occurrence at Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods is not known. One individual was photographed at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center in late August 2015. They are found in woodlands and forests from Canada to Florida and Texas. Adults fly from May to July.
Comments
The larvae eat the leaves and possibly new green bark of fir, pine, spruce, white cedar and a variety of deciduous trees including birch. The species winters as a pupa in tree bark.
Disclaimer: The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Nature Association who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page
is: Babs Padelford.
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