Dark-spotted Palthis
Palthis angulalis
OWLET MOTH FAMILY (Erebidae)
The Dark-spotted Palthis has a wingspan of approximately 1 inch. It has a shape like a fighter plane when at rest. The forewing is tan with a reddish-brown median line that does not reach the costa. The reniform spot is blackish-brown. There is a dull orange patch at the wing tip. It has very large tufted labial palps (not visible in photo shown here) which is characteristic of moths in the genus Palthis. The labial palps have a sensory function. The caterpillar is small and brown with a low hump over the 1st abdominal segment and a large hump over segment 8. When mature it is about an inch long. This moth was identified by Jim Durbin of the Insects of Iowa website.
The frequency of occurrence of the Dark-spotted Plathis is not known in Fontenelle Forest or Neale Woods. The individual shown here was photographed in late July.
The larval diet consists of a diverse mix of forbs, woody shrubs and trees including aster, basswood, goldenrod and ninebark. The larvae eat both live and dead organic matter including leaves, flowers and fruit.
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