Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Abrostola ovalis Guenée, 1852
Phloygenetic sequence #931161
Numbers
Four Abrostola species are found in America north of Mexico.
Size
forewing length 14-15 mm.
(1)Identification
Adults - forewing with large ovate pale area at base, outlined in black; remainder of wing dark grayish-brown with inconspicuous black-rimmed spots and slightly curved PM line; ST line jagged, pale-edged; hindwing pale basally, dark brown distally with yellowish fringe; thorax with two raised tufts of scales dorsally.
Range
Quebec and Maine to Georgia, west to Illinois, north to Wisconsin and Ontario.
Habitat
Open forests, wood edges, riparian areas where foodplants grow; adults are nocturnal and attracted to light.
Season
Adults fly from May to August.
Food
Larvae feed on leaves of Stinging Nettle (
Urtica dioica) and other species of nettles.
(2) Also Hog Peanut (
Amphicarpaea bracteata (
Ilona L.)
Life Cycle
One generation per year in the north; perhaps a partial second generation or two generations southward.
Life Cycle images:
larva; older larva; older larva; pre-pupal larva; pupa; adult
Remarks
Apparently rare to very rare throughout its range.
See Also
Spectacled Nettle Moth (
Abrostola urentis) - much more common and widespread; lacks a large pale patch at base of forewing.
Minute Oval Abrostola (
Abrostola microvalis) - smaller, range limited to Texas.
Print References
Eichlin, T.D. & H.B. Cunningham 1978. The Plusiinae (Lepidoptera:Noctuidae) of America north of Mexico, emphasizing genitalic and larval morphology. USDA Tech. Bulletin 1567: 1-122.
(3)
Pogue, M.G. 2005. The Plusiinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Zootaxa 1032: 1–28.
(1)Internet References
Moth Photographers Group - range map, photos of living moth and pinned adults.
BOLD - Barcode of Life Data Systems - species account with collection map and photos of pinned adults.
adult image plus dates and foodplant (Larry Line, Maryland)
distribution in Canada Ontario and Quebec only (U. of Alberta, using CBIF data)