This moth is approximately 3/4 inch in length. It is mostly white with the distal half of the forewing being brown with black and white markings. The hindwing is mostly white. This Tortricid moth is a bird dropping mimic. This moth was identified by Bob Patterson of the Moth Photographers Group.
It is probably uncommon in Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods. Adults are active during the day and evening. It can be found resting on leaves where it looks like a bird dropping. The individual shown in Photos A and D was photographed at Fontenelle Forest in early July in 2009 on the boardwalk near the Wetlands center building. Photos B & C were taken on the prairie at Camp Brewster on 7 July 2013.
The host plant for the larva is Cup Rosinweed (Silphium perfoliatum). The larva is rare in native habitats, but where Cup Rosinweed is being cultivated as a biomass crop, it is becoming a pest as it eats the flowers and destroys the seed crop.
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