The Common Idia has a wingspan of approximately 1 to 1.25 inches. At rest it has a triangle shape. The forewing is dark grayish brown with a large pale orange reniform spot and jagged black lines. the hindwing is grayish brown with pale lines. The larva is brown with orangish peglike hairs set in black bases. The head is shiny brown. It grows to about 1 inch long. This moth was identified by a volunteer expert at the BugGuide website.
This Common Idia is common in the fall in Fontenelle Forest. They are attracted to lights and can be seen sitting on the walls outside of the Nature Center.
This moth is in the subfamily Herminiinae, Litter Moths. The larval foodplants are dead leaves on the forest floor. The caterpillars are very secretive and are rarely seen. After grazing, the leaves look like lace.
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