Explanation of Names
PETREALIS: from the Latin "petra" (a stone or rock) + "ala" (a wing); refers to the moth's "stone-colored wings"
Identification
forewing light to medium brownish-gray; lines and reniform spot darker brown; AM line jagged or irregular; PM line sinuate with small scallops; ST line straight, composed of several dark spots or wedges
hindwing paler with diffuse yellowish-gray shading and faint AM and PM lines
Range
Newfoundland to South Carolina, west to Oklahoma and Oregon, north to British Columbia
Habitat
woodlands, bogs, swampy areas; adults are nocturnal and attracted to light
Season
adults fly from May to July
Food
larvae feed on dead leaves
See Also
Morbid Owlet (
Chytolita morbidalis) is generally paler with less prominent markings (
compare images of both species)
Internet References
pinned adult image plus common name reference [Lesser Luteous Snout], habitat, flight season, description, larval food, distribution (Strickland Entomological Museum, U. of Alberta)
live adult image and comments (Hugh McGuinness, New York)
pinned adult image (A.W. Thomas, Canadian Forest Service)
presence in South Carolina; county map (John Snyder, Furman U., South Carolina)
Contributed by
Robin McLeod on 26 January, 2005 - 2:28pm
Additional contributions by
J.D. RobertsLast updated 1 June, 2007 - 3:26pm
