BETHUNE'S PINION

Lithophane bethunei

OWLET MOTH FAMILY (Noctuidae)


Description

Bethune's Pinion Moth has a wingspan of approximately 1.50 inches.  The forewing is cream-colored with tan shading.  The reniform spots are cream-colored and are partially surrounded by a dark tan u-shaped mark that ends at the costa.  There are lines of tiny black dots, and 2 gray blotches in the outer margin.  The hindwing has gray and yellowish shading and a pale fringe.  The larva is cream, tan, gray or brown with pale charcoal markings, paler than other pinions.  The head is black or dark reddish-brown with black lines.  It grows to 1 5/8 inches. 



Occurrence

The frequency of occurrence is not known in Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods.  It has been photographed once in Fontenelle Forest in early October.  Adults fly from March to early June and again from August to October.  They are attracted to lights and bait.



Comments

The larval food plants include apple, ash, basswood, cherry, crabapple, elm, hickory, hop hornbeam, maple, oak, willow and other woody plants.  The final larval instar is predatory on other caterpillars and pupae.  It overwinters as an adult. 





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Bethune's Pinion

Bethune's Pinion

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