Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Black-banded Owlet Moth
Phalaenostola larentioides Grote, 1873


Family: Erebidae
Subfamily: Herminiinae
Identification: Forewing and hindwing dark violet gray, sometimes reddish brown. Blackish am. and pm. lines fine, wavy; blackish median and st. bands broad. Look for fine white edging beyond st. band.
Wing Span: 1.7-2.4 cm.
Life History:
Flight: May-September.
Caterpillar Hosts: Bluegrass, clover, dead grass, and leaves.
Adult Food:
Habitat:
Range: Maine and Quebec to Florida, west to Kansas and Arkansas.
Conservation:
NCGR:
Management Needs:
Comments: Species name was changed from laurentioides to larentioides in 7/2009 as per Hugh McGuinness.