Olive-shaded Bird-dropping Moth

Olive-shaded Bird-dropping Moth

Ponometia candefecta
OWLET MOTHS (Noctuidae)

Click on each photo thumbnail to enlarge.

The Olive-shaded Bird-dropping Moth has a wingspan of approximately 5/8 inch. The forewing is white near the base and along the costa. Brown or gray and yellow mottling fills most of the median and subterminal areas. The round reniform spot is outlined white. The hindwing is grayish-brown with a white fringe. The caterpillar is slender, green and white with many white and dark green pinstripes. The abdominal spiracles are sometimes surrounded by a black or purple spot. Abdominal segment 8 is humped. The green and white head capsule is diagnostic for this species. The mature caterpillar grows to less than an inch in length.

 

The frequency of occurrence in this area is not known. An adult was photographed at Fontenelle Forest in mid-June 2016. A caterpillar has also been photographed in Fontenelle Forest in late July 2011. Adults fly from April to September and are attracted to lights. There are 2 generations.

 

The larvae feed on all species of Ragweed. The species overwinters in the pupal stage.

 

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.