Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
The name was first published by
Julius Lederer in 1863
Explanation of Names
from Greek pilos (πιλος)- "felt" + krokis (κροκις)- "flock of wool" (translation of Lederer's explanation)
Identification
Adult: forewing grayish-brown with slightly irregular white AM line and sinuous white PM line edged in black; PM line has squarish convex lobe near middle; reniform spot a small white arc, edged basally in black; hindwing grayish-brown with a single white (PM) line having squarish convex lobe near middle
Range
Ontario and New York to Florida, west to Texas, north to North Dakota
also occurs south to South America
Habitat
open woods, clearings, damp areas where foodplant grows; adults are nocturnal and come to light
Season
adults fly from August to November
Food
larvae feed on
false nettle [=button-hemp] (
Boehmeria spp.); also cardinal's guard (
Pachystachys spicata and
P. coccinea) in the far south
See Also
Diasemiodes janassialis has blackish wings with a different pattern of white lines on the hindwing
Internet References
live and pinned adult images by Hugh McGuinness and Jim Vargo respectively (Moth Photographers Group)
live adult image (Mark Dreiling, Oklahoma)
live adult image (Randy Newman, North Carolina)
pinned adult image (Matthew Barnes, Moths of Belize)
pinned adult image by John Glaser, plus date (Larry Line, Maryland)
adult image (Darryl Searcy, Alabama)
foodplants and flight season (Ohio State U.)
presence in Ontario; list (NHIC; Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources)
presence in Florida; list (John Heppner, Florida State Collection of Arthropods)
presence in Texas; list (James Gillaspy, U. of Texas)
presence in North Dakota; list (Gerald Fauske, North Dakota State U.)
Wiener entomologische monatschrift, v.7, p.430 Lederer's original description of the genus (in German)
