Kingdom Animalia Class Insecta Phylum Arthropoda Rank Species | Subphylum Hexapoda Family Noctuidae Genus Ponometia Order Butterflies and moths | |
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Similar Tarache aprica, Butterflies and moths, Spragueia leo, Plusiodonta compressipalpis, Homophoberia | ||
Olive sided bird dropping moth noctuidae ponometia candefacta lateral view
Ponometia candefacta, the Olive-shaded Bird-dropping Moth, is a moth of the Noctuidae family. It is found in North America, where it has been recorded from the northern United States to southern Mexico. It has been introduced to Russia as a biological control agent. The habitat consists of dry, weedy, disturbed areas at low elevations.
The wingspan is 18-22 mm. The forewings are white near the base and along the costa, with grey and yellowish mottling in the median and subterminal areas. The hindwings are pale whitish grey, becoming gradually darker grey to the margin on the outer half. Adults are on wing in summer, from April to September.
The larvae feed on Asteraceae, including Aster and Ambrosia species. They are green with a white lateral stripe.