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A medium-size (approx. 3-3.2 cm yellow-brown moth. The thin antemedian and postmedian lines are dark brown, doubled and more prominent toward the costa. The apical half of the forewing beyond the postmedian line is contrasting dark blackish brown. The hindwings vary from light brown to almost white, shading darker toward the margin. The antennae are simple and the sexes are similar. The forewing pattern is unique among Alberta noctuid moths. Adults and genitalia of both sexes are illustrated in Lafontaine (2004).

Poorly known. Dichagyris grotei is single brooded and the adults come to light. The only reported larval host plant is apparently false boneset (Kuhnia eupatorioides L., Asteraceae). Lafontaine (op. cit.) provides a description of the larvae. The Alberta specimen was collected in mid August.

Pennsylvania south to northern Florida and northern Mexico, west to Arizona and eastern Oregon, north to extreme southwestern Alberta. A single fresh specimen (illustrated above) collected in Waterton National Park in 2006 is the only Canadian record.