Eastern Nycteoline
Common NameEastern Nycteoline
Scientific NameNycteola metaspila
FamilyNolidae
SubfamilyNolinae
Wingspan (mm)20
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsgrey, brown, white
HabitatWoodlands, forests, riparian areas, and other habitats with host plants.
Geographic RangeEastern North America, from southern Canada south to Florida and west to Texas.
Host Plantswillow, poplar
Flight PeriodApril to October
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesUndergoes complete metamorphosis. Larvae are typically green with white stripes, feeding on willow and poplar leaves before pupating in a cocoon. Adults emerge in spring and late summer, often having two generations per year.
Identification TipsKey features include its small size (wingspan around 18-22 mm), the intricate grey and brown cryptic pattern on its forewings, and the prominent, upward-pointing labial palps that create a 'snout' effect.
Description
A small, cryptically colored moth with mottled grey and brown forewings, often featuring darker brown markings and a distinctive pair of upward-curving palps that give its head a pointed appearance.
