Morrison’s Sallow

Morrison’s Sallow

Eupsilia morrisoni
OWLET MOTH FAMILY (Noctuidae)

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The Morrison’s Sallow has a wingspan of approximately 1.5 inches (35-40 mm). The forewing is pale brown to reddish brown with inconspicuous thin, white lines. The median line angles slightly at the midpoint. The hindwing is grayish-brown. The abdomen is brown with white bands at the segments. The caterpillar is brown with thin white mid-dorsal, subdorsal and spiracular stripes. The head is orange at the back and blackish in front. The prothoracic shield is black with a pale orange stripe on each side. It grows to about one inch.

 

The frequency of occurrence in Fontenelle Forest is not known. It has been photographed at the Fontenelle Forest Nature Center once in March 2016. Adults fly from March to May and again from September to November. The species overwinters as an adult.

 

The larvae feed on the leaves of apple, birch, cherry, elm maple and oak. This species is very common in the northeast and at times becomes an unwelcome visitor to maple sugaring buckets.

 

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