University of Alberta Museums Search

A medium-size (3.5-4.5 cm wingspan) dull grey moth with few markings. The forewings are grey with the obscure markings defined by raised black scales (visible under magnification). The orbicular is a small dark ringed dull white spot. The reniform is a white oblong, faintly and incompletely outlined with black and with a black bar or spot in the center. Normal lines obscure, marked with a black spot where they meet the costa. The hindwings are dull even grey. Fringes of both wings are checkered with black, grey and white scales. The sexes are similar, except the male antennae are bipectinate but simple in the females. Very similar to the Yellowhorn (Colocasia flavicornis) which may also occur in eastern Alberta. The Yellowhorn has the lower half of the median area of the forewing darker and contrasting with the remainder of the forewing.

No Alberta data; elsewhere in Canada, a variety of deciduous trees including willow (Salix sp.), Manitoba maple (Acer negudo), Trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides), Largetooth aspen (Populus grandidentata), Silver Maple (Acer saccarinum), Basswood (Tilia americana) and White birch (Betula papyrifera). White birch is by far the most frequently recorded host.

From Newfoundland west across the southern edge of the Boreal forest to central Alberta, south to North Carolina, Missouri, and Arkansas. In Alberta, it has been found along the southern edge of the Boreal forest, west to Redwater.