Ponometia candefacta

Ponometia candefacta, the olive-shaded bird-dropping moth, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is found in North America, where it has been recorded from the northern United States to southern Mexico.[1] It has been introduced to Russia as a biological control agent. The habitat consists of dry, weedy, disturbed areas at low elevations.

Ponometia candefacta
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Noctuidae
Genus: Ponometia
Species:
P. candefacta
Binomial name
Ponometia candefacta
(Hübner, [1831])
Synonyms
  • Tarache candefacta Hübner, [1831]
  • Tarachidia candefacta
  • Micra haworthana Westwood, 1851
  • Acontia debilis Walker, [1858]
  • Acontia neomexicana Smith, 1900
  • Tarachidia candefactella Strand, 1916

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.[2] 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.[3]

References
  1. "Ponometia candefacta". North American Moth Photographers Group. Retrieved 2015-06-21.
  2. "Species Ponometia candefacta". BugGuide. Retrieved 2015-06-21.
  3. "Ponometia candefacta (Hübner, [1831])". Pacific Northwest Moths.



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