The Bi-colored Sallow has a wingspan of approximately 1.5 inches. The forewing is pale yellow to orange-yellow and is shaded with light brown or gray. The lower half of the reniform spot is filled in with gray. Some individuals have the distal half of the forewing dark brown (photo D). The post median line is a series of black dots with gray lines extending down through a brown wavy line on the edge of the wing. The hindwing is paler than the forewing, and shaded with grayish brown. The head of the caterpillar is black and the body is orange-brown. There is a black dorsal band on the first thoracic segment. The abdomen has a dark brown dorsal triangle on each segment.
The frequency of occurrence at Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods is not known. The moth shown here was photographed at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center in October. The adults are common visitors to lights.
The larva eats the leaves of black cherry, crabapple, dock, grasses and maples. Another name for the larva is Shield-backed Cutworm.
Disclaimer: The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest 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.