ASHEN PINION

ASHEN PINION

Lithopane antennata
OWLET MOTH FAMILY (Noctuidae)


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The mature caterpillar is approximately 1.5 inches in length. It is green with a broad, creamy spiracular stripe. The middorsal stripe is thin and creamy. The subdorsal stripe is white and broken into spots. The head is plain green and shiny. The similar Broad Ashen Pinion has a more yellow cast and a more developed subdorsal stripe. The adult moth has dark brown forewings and dark tan hind wings. It has a wingspan of 1.5 inches.

 

The frequency of occurrence at Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods is not known. The individual shown here was photographed at Fontenelle Forest in late May.

 

The larval foodplants are oak, ash, blackberry, elm, cherry, hickory, plum, willow and other woody plants. Adult pinions emerge in fall and live through the winter. Mating occurs in late winter or early spring.

 

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