AMERICAN BIRD'S-WING

Dypterygia rozmani

OWLET MOTH FAMILY (Noctuidae)


Description

The American Bird's-wing has a wingspan of 1.50 to 1.75 inches.  The forewing is dark brown to blackish with fine black lines forming circles and curving lines.  A tan area near the anal angle resembles a bird in flight.  The pale area extends along the inner margin and joins with a raised "crest" on the thorax.  The hindwings are grayish-brown, lighter than the forewing.  The caterpillar is brown with a wide cream-colored stripe along the sides.  Abdominal section 8 is strongly humped.



Occurrence

The frequency of occurrence is not known.  It has been seen and photographed once in early September at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center.  Adults fly from May through September and are attracted to artificial lights.



Comments

The larval foodplants are dock (Rumex sp.) and smartweed (Polygonum sp).  This moth is in the Cutworm or Dart Moths Subfamily (Noctuinae).





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American Bird's-wing Moth

American Bird's-wing Moth

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