Bailey's Pinion
Common NameBailey's Pinion
Scientific NameLithophane baileyi
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyXyleninae
Wingspan (mm)40
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsgrey, brown, black, white
HabitatDeciduous and mixed forests, woodlands
Geographic RangeEastern North America, from Nova Scotia west to Manitoba, and south to Florida and Texas
Host Plantsmaple, oak, birch, cherry, willow, ash
Flight PeriodSeptember to November (fall brood), March to May (spring brood after overwintering)
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesAdults emerge in the fall, overwinter, and re-emerge in early spring to lay eggs. Larvae hatch in spring, feed on deciduous tree leaves, and pupate in the soil during summer.
Identification TipsKey features include the mottled grey-brown forewings with distinct, often dark-outlined, reniform and orbicular spots. The overall cryptic pattern is typical of the genus, and its bimodal flight period (late fall and early spring) is a good indicator.
Description
A medium-sized moth with mottled grey and brown forewings, featuring prominent dark-outlined reniform and orbicular spots, and wavy transverse lines that provide excellent camouflage against tree bark.
