Numbers
the only species in this genus in North America (and the world?)
Identification
Adult: forewing shiny yellowish-tan with two white-ringed dark brown dots in AM and PM areas; some dark brown shading near apex
hindwing tan shaded with gray
[description by Charles Covell]
Larva: body whitish or pale tan with brown dorsal line; dorsolateral and ventrolateral lines composed of light brown irregular patches; head brown with darker brown spots; terminal abdominal segment with brown spots
Range
Nova Scotia to Virginia, west to Oklahoma, north to Ontario
also occurs in Eurasia
Habitat
marshes, fens, wet roadside ditches etc. where food plant grows
adults fly at night and are attracted to artificial light
Season
adults fly from June to August
Food
larvae feed on flowers and developing seeds of cattail (Typha spp.)
Remarks
Larval presence can often be detected by quantities of down protruding from the seedheads of cattails.
Internet References
live adult images plus description, food plants, and flight season (Lynn Scott, Ontario)
live adult image [by Ian Kimber in France], plus habitat and food plants (UK Moths)
live adult image plus food plant (Mike Wall, Hants Moths, UK)
live adult image (Jeff Higgott, UK Lepidoptera)
adult images plus food plants (Larry Line, Maryland)
live larva images [by Ian Smith], plus habitat and food plants (UK Moths)
live larva image [by Ben Smart] (Christopher Jonko, European Butterflies, Poland)
