Chosen Sallow
Psaphida electilis
OWLET MOTHS (Noctuidae)
The Chosen Sallow moth has a wingspan of approximately 1.5 inches. The forewing is gray with a black basal dash. The large orbicular and reniform spots are brown. The jagged black subterminal line is edged with white. The hindwings are tan with a narrow brown border. In the southern part of the range the moths are all gray with no brown and may have a black streak running the length of the wing. The caterpillars are yellow-green above with a cream-colored lateral stripe and many small white dots. They are bluish-green below. The head is shiny green. They grow to about 1.5 inches.
The frequency of occurrence in this area is not known. It was photographed on April 12, 2011 at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center. This uncommon moth ranges from southeastern Canada to Maine south to Georgia and Louisiana west to Nebraska and Oklahoma. Adults fly mostly in April. They are nocturnal and come to lights
The host plants are hickory and walnut. The eggs are laid on the buds of the host plant. The species overwinters as a pupa in soil. There is one generation per year.
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