Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Loosestrife Borer Moth
Papaipema lysimachiae (Bird, 1914)


Family: Noctuidae
Subfamily: Noctuinae
Identification: Forewing yellowish-orange in median area with dark orangish-brown patches basally and between reniform and orbicular spots; orbicular and claviform spots large white rounded rectangles, sometimes joined (claviform spot may be divided in two); reniform spot outlined with small white spots; PM line black, straight for most of length but with rounded angle near costa; dark purplish-brown shading beyond PM line hindwing pale yellowsish with light grayish-brown shading; veins and thin terminal line darker
Wing Span: 2.8-3.5 cm
Life History:
Flight: August to October
Caterpillar Hosts: Stems and roots of Whorled Yellow Loosestrife (Lysimachia quadrifolia)
Adult Food:
Habitat: Sedge meadows and open damp areas where food plant grows
Range: New Brunswick to Georgia, west to Illinois, north to Wisconsin and Ontario
Conservation:
NCGR:
Management Needs:
Taxonomy Notes: None.