Dot-and-Dash Swordgrass Moth
Common NameDot-and-Dash Swordgrass Moth
Scientific NameXylena curvimacula
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyNoctuinae
Wingspan (mm)50
Primary Colorsbrown, grey, white
HabitatDeciduous and mixed forests, woodlands
Geographic RangeEastern North America, from Canada south to Georgia and west to Manitoba and Missouri
Host Plantsbirch, willow, poplar, maple, oak, various herbaceous plants
Flight PeriodSeptember to November (fall brood), March to May (spring brood)
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesThis species overwinters as an adult moth. Larvae feed during spring and early summer, then pupate in the soil, with new adults emerging in late summer or fall.
Identification TipsKey identification features include the prominent dark reniform spot and claviform streak on the forewings, set against a cryptic background of browns and greys. The overall shape is typical of swordgrass moths.
Description
A medium-sized moth with mottled brown, grey, and whitish forewings, characterized by a distinct dark reniform spot (the 'dot') and a dark claviform streak (the 'dash').
