The Unarmed Wainscot moth has a wingspan of about 1.5 inches. The forewing is pale grayish tan. The reniform spot is a pale spot with a small black discal dot. The antemedial line is an indistinct line of dark dots. The postmedian line consists of one or two rows of distinct black dots. The hindwing is light gray diffused with gray-brown. The male prothoracic tibia does not have a large, massive tuft of hair, but rather a small one. The caterpillar is usually brown and smooth with longitudinal brown, green and white stripes.
The frequency of occurrence in this area is not known. It has been photographed at Neale Woods and Fontenelle Forest coming to moth lights. Its range is the northeast and mid-Atlantic states from Nova Scotia to South Carolina west to Iowa and Arkansas. Adults fly from May to September.
The larval host is Orchard Grass. Grass feeders commonly have large mandibles. The female moth deposits her eggs in the sheath between a leaf and the stem.
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.