Size
wingspan about 17 mm, based on photo by Jim Vargo at MPG
Range
eastern North America and southern United States, south at least to Central America
Remarks
Dr. Brian Scholtens on Neohelvibotys vs. Helvibotys:
"They are the biggest problem in the SW and in the SE. In the east we have two Neohelvibotys, neohelvialis and polingi. N. polingi is only in S. Florida. N. neohelvialis is more widespread in the SE. Munroe had it listed from GA and FL west to Arizona, but I have also taken it in the Smokies in TN, so it is obviously a bit more widespread.
We have one Helvibotys in the east, helvialis. This is the most widespread of the three. It occurs from very southern Canada down through Florida and west to the midwest. Pretty much anything north of Georgia, South Carolina or Tennessee would be this species.
Print References
Capps, H W. 1967. Review of some species of Loxostege (Hübner) and descriptions of new species (Lepidoptera, Pyraustidae: Pyrausinae). Proceedings of the United States National Museum 120(3561):
1-83 (2)Internet References
pinned adult images of
H. helvialis plus collection site map showing presence in Ontario and Quebec (All-Leps)
pinned adult image of
H. helvialis and photos of related species by Jim Vargo (Moth Photographers Group)
adult illustration of
H. pucilla by Herbert Druce (Smithsonian Institution Libraries)
presence in Florida; list of 1 species (John Heppner, Florida State Collection of Arthropods)
presence in California; list of 2 species (U. of California at Berkeley)