Small Necklace Moth
Common NameSmall Necklace Moth
Scientific NameAnagrapha falcifera
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyPlusiinae
Wingspan (mm)32
Primary Colorsbrown, green, white
HabitatOpen woodlands, fields, gardens, meadows, disturbed areas
Geographic RangeWidespread across North America, from Newfoundland to British Columbia, south to Florida and Texas
Host Plantsdandelion, clover, plantain, lettuce, aster, goldenrod
Flight PeriodMay to October (multiple broods)
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are green loopers (semi-loopers) with faint white stripes, feeding on a variety of herbaceous plants. They pupate in a loose cocoon on or near the host plant, typically completing 2-3 generations per year.
Identification TipsKey features include the mottled brown and greenish forewings and the distinctive white 'necklace' mark, which can appear as two separate white spots or a more connected, often broken, gamma-shaped mark. The hindwings are uniformly dull brownish-gray.
Description
A small to medium-sized moth with mottled forewings displaying a mix of brown, olive-green, and grayish scales. It is characterized by two prominent, often separated, white marks on each forewing that resemble a broken necklace.
