Double lobed Moth

Double lobed Moth

Lateroligia ophiogramma
OWLET MOTH FAMILY (Noctuidae)

Click on each photo thumbnail to enlarge.

The Double lobed Moth has a wingspan of approximately 1 3/8 inches. The forewing is variably straw-colored to dark gray with a broad chestnut-black patch in the outer median area. The black reniform spot has a large, pale brown to orange spot in the middle. The terminal line is a row of black dots. The hindwing is pale tan to brown with fine dark veining. The larva is a tan color with a dark brown head.

 

The frequency of occurrence in our area is unknown. The moth has been photographed at Fontenelle Forest in mid-July 2015. This moth was accidentally introduced into British Columbia in 1989 from Europe and has spread across Canada, the Great Lakes region and the Northeast. It is expanding southward and westward. Adults fly from June to August. They inhabit damp woods, wet meadows and marshes.

 

The larvae feed on various grasses including reed canary grass (Phalaris) and mannagrass (Glyceria). There is one generation a year. The species overwinters as a larva in leaf litter and under matted grass. This is the only species in the genus Lateroligia in North America.

 

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.