FAINT-SPOTTED PALTHIS
Palthis asopialis
OWLET MOTH FAMILY (Erebidae)
Description
The Faint-spotted Palthis has a wingspan of about 1 inch. At rest with the wings folded it has a very swept-back jet fighter appearance. The forewing is brown overall with a broad, dark brown median band that touches the antemedial line. The postmedial line is dark and jagged. There is a sub-apical dark patch. The hindwing is light brown with a dark terminal band. It is very similar to the Dark-spotted Palthis which has a different shaped dark median band and a dark spot at the apex of the forewing. The caterpillar is mottled gray-brown with a low hump over abdominal segment one. The mature caterpillar is about 1 inch long.
Occurrence
The frequency of occurrence is unknown. It has been photographed at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center in mid-August and early October. Adults are attracted to lights.
Comments
The larvae are reported to eat the leaves of alfalfa, beans, bidens, clover, corn, oaks and Spanish needles. A characteristic of the 2 species in the genus Palthis is the pair of large, tufted labial palps which project forward from the lower part of the head. These have a sensory function.
Disclaimer: The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Nature Association who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page
is: Babs Padelford.
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