Explanation of Names
MORBIDALIS: from the Latin "morbidus" (sickly, diseased), from "morbus" (disease); probably refers to the moth's "sickly" pale color
Numbers
one of two species in North America; common
Identification
forewing pale grayish-white; lines diffuse, brownish or orangish; AM line slightly jagged or irregular; PM line sinuate with small scallops; ST line straight, composed of several dark spots or wedges
hindwing even paler with faint grayish veins
Range
New Brunswick to South Carolina, west to Arkansas, north to Wisconsin and Ontario; also occurs in British Columbia
Habitat
deciduous woods and edges; generally drier or less boggy habitat than Chytolita petrealis
Season
adults fly from May to August
Food
larvae feed on dead leaves of deciduous trees, and have been reared on dandelion, grass, hazel, lettuce
See Also
Stone-winged Owlet (
Chytolita petrealis) is generally darker with more prominent markings (
compare images of both species)
Internet References
common name reference plus flight season and larval food (Ohio State U.)
presence in British Columbia; list (J.D. Lafontaine and J.T. Troubridge, naturewatch.ca)
presence in South Carolina; county map (John Snyder, Furman U., South Carolina)
Contributed by
Robin McLeod on 26 January, 2005 - 1:08pm
Last updated 6 February, 2006 - 11:13pm
