Chytolita morbidalis

Description

Chytolita morbidalis, the morbid owlet moth or morbid owlet, is a species of litter moth in the family Erebidae. It is found in large part of North America, from coast to coast in the north and south to North Carolina, Texas and Florida in the west. The habitat consists of deciduous woods and edges. The wingspan is 29–35 mm. The forewings are pale grayish-white with diffuse, brownish or orangish lines. The hindwings are even paler with faint grayish veins. Adults are on wing from May to August. There seems to be one generation per year. The larvae feed on the leaves of various deciduous trees and have been reared on dandelion, grass, hazel and lettuce. There are also records for dead leaves, including dried white oak leaves.