Oidaematophorus mathewianus

Description

Oidaematophorus mathewianus is a moth of the family Pterophoridae. It is found in southern Canada and the western part of the United States, eastward in the north to Maine. The wingspan is about 24 millimetres (0.94 in). The head is brownish grey and the antennae are dust grey, faintly annulated on the basal third with whitish. The thorax and abdomen are whitish grey. The forewings are very pale brownish grey, with a brownish spot before the fissue. The hindwings are of the same colour as the forewings. The larvae feed on Vernonia noveboracensis. Young larvae are dingy white, with a tinge of green. Later instars are pale glaucous to dull salmon. The Pupa varies in colour and marking: in the spring brood, it is commonly dull green, with indistinct lateral yellow stripes; in the fall brood, the dorsum is pale yellow or flesh color, with two fine, indistinct, medio-dorsal lines of lilac color. The pupa is quite active and irritable, striking about in all directions when meddled with.