A solid black bar sits on the center of the forewing of this mostly brown moth.
Black-barred Brown moths have an hourglass-shaped black mark that is easy to see against the paler brown color of the wings. The shape's edges may appear rounded-off, giving it more the appearance of a figure eight in some individuals. A second dark mark beneath that black bar may also be present. Though the overall color of the moth is light or medium brown, a dark brown semi-circle sits at the outer edge of each forewing, very close to the tip. Caterpillars feed on Giant Ragweed, a species of the common allergen that can grow over 3 meters (10 feet) tall.
Look for adults from mid-summer through early autumn near riverbanks and stream edges where the host plant naturally grows.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Arthropoda
Class:Insecta
Order:Lepidoptera
Family:Noctuidae
Genus:Plagiomimicus
Species:pityochromus
Identifying Information
Scientific Name: Plagiomimicus pityochromus
Category:
Butterfly or Moth
Size (Adult; Length): 14mm to 18mm (0.55in to 0.70in)
Colors: brown; black; white
Descriptors: black figure eight; black hourglass; flying; dark wing tip
Note: An insect's reach is not limited by lines drawn on a map and therefore species may appear in areas, regions and/or states beyond those listed above as they are driven by environmental factors (such as climate change), available food supplies and mating patterns. Grayed-out selections indicate that the subject in question has not been reported in that particular territory. U.S. states and Canadian provinces / territories are clickable to their respective bug listings.
Butterfly and Moth Anatomy
1
Antennae: Butterflies and Moths have a pair of antennae on the head used as sensors.
2
Head: The head is home to the insect's eyes, antennae, and proboscis.
3
Thorax: Home to the three pairs of legs as well as vital internal organs.
4
Abdomen: Contains vital internal organs such as the heart(s) and reproduction facilities.
5
Forewing: The upper, forward wing pair used for flying.
6
Hindwing: The lower, rearward wing pair used for flying.
NOTE: Butterflies and Moths are part of the Lepidopteran order as they share many similarities.
Colors: brown; black; white
