Identification
forewing bright pink, with yellow beyond ST line and in lower basal area; head pink; thorax and abdomen yellow above, pink below
hindwing white above; underside of all wings light yellow, with broad pink band along costa
Range
Newfoundland to northern Florida, west to eastern California, north to Alberta
Habitat
fields, clearings, waste places where host plant grows; adults rest on host plant flower stems or inside blooms during the day, and fly at night (adults attracted to light)
Season
adults fly from late June to September (peak numbers in July and August)
Food
larvae feed on flower buds but not leaves of evening primrose (Oenothera spp.); also reported on Gaura
Life Cycle
eggs are laid on flower buds of host plant
See Also
Rosy Maple Moth (
Dryocampa rubicunda), and in the western US,
Pink-spotted Flower Moth (
Erythroecia suavis)
Internet References
pinned adult images of upper and lower surfaces (Insects of Quebec)
pinned adult image plus habitat, description, food plants, distribution, biology (U. of Alberta)
pinned adult image plus food plant, distribution, and similar species (Gerald Fauske, Moths of North Dakota)
pinned adult image and US distribution map [missing data from eastern states] (Paul Opler, Moths of North America; USGS)
pinned adult image (A.W. Thomas, Canadian Forest Service)
common name reference plus food plant and flight season (Ohio State U.)
presence in Newfoundland - several live adult images with locations and dates (Govt. of Newfoundland and Labrador)
Contributed by
Troy Bartlett on 17 August, 2004 - 9:18pm
Additional contributions by
Robin McLeodLast updated 5 December, 2005 - 5:48pm
