The Sordid Hypena has a wingspan of about 1.25 inches. This moth is sexually dimorphic. The forewing of the male is sooty black with indistinct white wavy lines. The post median line is highlighted with white or a lighter area at the costa. The female is brown with a paler outer margin and paler brown hindwing.
The frequency of occurrence is not known, but it is probably fairly common. Individuals have been photographed coming to artificial lights on July 23, 2013 at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center. It has also been photographed on July 24, 2014 and July 28, 2016 at Fontenelle Forest.
This species is also called Sordid Snout. It is widely reported that the larvae eat the leaves of alder and butternut. However, David L. Wagner states in his book “Caterpillars of Eastern North America” that the larvae feed on Wood Nettle (Laportea canadensis.) That is probably correct since there is an abundant source of Wood Nettle in Fontenelle Forest.
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