Striped Garden Caterpillar Moth
Common NameStriped Garden Caterpillar Moth
Scientific NameTrichordestra legitima
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyNoctuinae
Wingspan (mm)34
Primary Colorsbrown, gray, reddish-brown
HabitatOpen woodlands, fields, gardens, disturbed areas
Geographic RangeEastern and central North America
Host Plantsdandelion, plantain, clover, aster, goldenrod, lettuce, cabbage, corn
Flight PeriodMay to October
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae, known as striped garden caterpillars, are polyphagous, feeding on a wide variety of herbaceous plants. They pupate in the soil.
Identification TipsKey features include the reddish-brown and gray mottled forewings, a distinct dark basal dash, and the characteristic shapes of the reniform and orbicular spots. Hindwings are typically dull gray-brown.
Description
A medium-sized moth with mottled forewings displaying a mix of reddish-brown, gray, and dark brown markings, often featuring a prominent dark basal dash and distinct reniform and orbicular spots.
