signate quaker

not listed

NNR - Unranked

SNR - Unranked

not listed

Signate quaker is a late-season, small to medium-sized, owlet moth. It occurs in the United States east of the Great Plains and in adjacent Canadian provinces. It is common in Minnesota. Adults are found from July to September in woodlands, old fields, and sometimes in gardens. Larvae are found on low, early emerging plants, including dandelion and plantain.

Adults are ⅝″ to 11⁄16″ (15 to 18 mm) in length and have a wingspan of 1⅛″ to 1½″ (28 to 38 mm).

The forewings are broadly rounded at the outer margin. They are brown to orangish-brown and are crossed by 3 or 4 dark lines. From the wing base to the tip, these are the antemedial (AM) line, median line, postmedial (PM) line, and subterminal (ST) line. The AM and PM lines are thin and well defined. The ST line is broader with fuzzy edges. It is wavy and does not reach the outer (costal) margin. The median line is actually a band, broad and with blurry, poorly defined edges. It is angled. There is a kidney-shaped spot (reniform spot) in the middle of the wing close to the costal margin. It is brown or orange with a broad, broken, white border. The border is usually almost complete just on the lower half. Sometimes it is reduced to just a few scattered white specks. The top of the reniform spot touches the median band. Above the reniform spot and between the AM line and median band there is a smaller round spot (orbicular spot). The orbicular spot is orange or brown with a dark border. The wing veins are peppered with tiny white scales.

The hindwings are brownish gray with dark veins. They are not crossed by dark lines.

The head and thorax are the same color as the forewings. On the upper side of the thorax there is a tuft of hairs that is inconspicuously divided into a small tuft in front and a large one in the rear. The antennae on the male are finely branched, feather-like, on one side (pectinate). On the female they are slender and thread-like.

The caterpillar is pale brown, about 19⁄16″ (40 mm) long and ¼″ (6 mm) wide. There is a pale line down the middle (middorsal line) with a broad dark margin. The breathing pores (spiracles) are dark brown. The underside is pale and flecked with white. The head is brown with numerous dark “freckles”.

Total Length: ⅝″ to 11⁄16″ (15 to 18 mm)

Wingspan: 1⅛″ to 1½″ (28 to 38 mm)

Woodlands, old fields, and gardens

One generation per year: July to September

Adults are active at night and will come to lights.

Low plants, including dandelion and plantain

Sources

21, 24, 27, 29, 30, 71, 72, 75, 82, 83.

Common in Minnesota

Location: Woodbury, MN

Location: Woodbury, MN