Dimorphic Hypena

Dimorphic Hypena

Hypena bijugalis
OWLET MOTH FAMILY (Erebidae)

The wingspan is 1.25 inches. The adults are sexually dimorphic. The forewing of the female is dark brown to the median line with a black orbicular dot and one tooth projecting downward. Below the median line the wing is light brown with a thin, black apical dash. The forewing of the male is blackish-brown with a square white patch on the inner margin near the postmedial line. The hindwing is dark grayish-brown, darker in the male than in the female. The caterpillar is slender and green with whitish bands on the abdominal segments. The head is shiny green.

 

The frequency of occurrence in this area is not known, but it is probably common. An individual was photographed in early August at the Fontenelle Forest Nature Center. Adults fly from April to September.

 

The larvae eat the leaves of dogwood, especially shrubby varieties such as Red-osier. Another common name is Dimorphic Snout.

 

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