EYED BAILEYA

EYED BAILEYA

Baileya ophthalmica
NOLID MOTH FAMILY (Nolidae)

Click on each photo thumbnail to enlarge.

The Eyed Baileya moth has a wingspan of approximately 1.25 inches (23-32 mm). The forewing is brown with a large white reniform spot that is outlined with black and has a black central dot. The black postmedian line ends at the reniform spot. The toothed, black subterminal line is edged with white. There is a sharp, broken apical patch. The hindwing is whitish with darker shading toward the outer margin. The caterpillar is green with a prominent white dorsal stripe. The head is shiny green and unmarked. It grows to about one inch.

 

The frequency of occurrence in our area is unknown. The adult was photographed at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center in mid-April 2016. It is considered common in its range in eastern North America which extends from Nova Scotia to Florida, west to Oklahoma and north to Alberta.

 

The larval food host is Hop Hornbeam and possibly Ironwood. The species overwinters as a pupa in a cocoon infused with chewed leaf fragments.

 

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.