University of Alberta Museums Search

A small (2.4-2.6 cm. wingspan) moth with a pale brown forewing and black and white hindwing. The forewing has darker red-brown scaling at the base, a dark brown median band incorporating the large black reniform spot, a narrower dark brown subterminal band constricted in the middle and separated by a thin pale line from a slightly paler brown terminal band and a red-brown fringe. Hindwing is white with a large black discal cresent and a broad black terminal band containing an indistinct pale spot near the anal angle; fringe white. Separated from H. phloxiphagus by smaller size, brown rather than tan forewing color and the lack of fine spotting on the forewing. H. oregonicus is darker, has a broader dark median band and a large orbicular spot, frequently fused with the reniform and median band.

The flax bollworm feeds on a variety of low plants, but can also be a rather serious pest in cultivated flax crops. Like other members of the family, they feed on flower parts and the developing seeds, in the case of flax leaving an empty husk.