Numbers
uncommon; listed as a "species in greatest need of conservation" in several states
Identification
Adult: forewing yellowish-orange in median area with dark orangish-brown patches basally and between reniform and orbicular spots; orbicular and claviform spots large white rounded rectangles, sometimes joined (claviform spot may be divided in two); reniform spot outlined with small white spots; PM line black, straight for most of length but with rounded angle near costa; dark purplish-brown shading beyond PM line
hindwing pale yellowsish with light grayish-brown shading; veins and thin terminal line darker
Range
New Brunswick to Georgia, west to Illinois, north to Wisconsin and Ontario
Habitat
sedge meadows and open damp areas where food plant grows; adults are nocturnal and attracted to light
Season
adults fly from August to October
Food
larvae bore into stems and roots of
Whorled Yellow Loosestrife (
Lysimachia quadrifolia)
See Also
very similar to
Bracken Borer (P. pterisii) but that species has a more sharply angled PM line near the costa, and slightly lighter shading beyond PM line, in basal area, and area between reniform and orbicular spots
Contributed by
Robin McLeod on 16 March, 2006 - 3:48pm
Additional contributions by
Steve MorrisLast updated 19 September, 2022 - 9:01am