PALE GRAY BIRD-DROPPING MOTH
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PALE GRAY BIRD-DROPPING MOTH

Antaeotricha leucillana
GRASS MINER MOTHS (Elachistidae)

  • PALE GRAY BIRD-DROPPING MOTH
  • PALE GRAY BIRD-DROPPING MOTH
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The Pale Gray Bird-Dropping Moth has a total length of about 3/8 inch and a wingspan of 7/8 inch. The forewing is pearl gray with darker gray smudgy markings. The subterminal line is marked with a row of black spots. The thorax has a raised crest of irridescent blue and gray scales. The hindwing is cream-colored with white fringes. Schlaeger’s Fruitworm Moth is nearly identical, however, it is about 2/3 larger with a 1 1/4 inch wingspan.

 

The frequency of occurrence is not known. It was photographed at Fontenelle Forest in August 2012 and Neale Woods in early September 2012 coming to artificial lights.

 

This moth was formerly in the Concealer Moth family (Oecophoridae). The larva eats the leaves of ash, basswood, birch, elm, maple, oak poplar and willow.

 

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