Northern flower moth

Northern flower moth is a small moth but a large flower moth (genus Schinia). It occurs in North America east of the Rock Mountains, mostly in sandy areas on the East Coast and Gulf Coast, and in prairie remnants in the upper Midwest. It was much more common in the 1950s but its range has severely contracted. It is now uncommon throughout its range.

The forewings are beautifully patterned. The basal area is chestnut brown to dark brown. The antemedial and postmedial lines are narrow and white. The area between these lines may be mostly light or dark brown but the orbicular spot is always pale and yellowish, and the reniform spot is always dark. The subapical area, just beyond the postmedian line, is dark. The terminal area and the fringe are light.

On the front legs the fourth segment (tibia) has five claws, two inner and three outer.

Wingspan: ⅞″ to 1″ (20 to 25 mm)

Prairie remnants in the Midwest

One generation per year: late August and September

Adults are active both day and night.

Pupa overwinter in the soil and emerge as adults in late summer

Leaves of asters (Symphyotrichum spp.), including aromatic aster, New England aster, and smooth blue aster