Signate quaker

Description

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. A small round spot (orbicular spot) in the upper median area is orange or brown with a dark border. A kidney-shaped spot (reniform spot) in the lower median area 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. 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 1 9⁄16″ (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”.

Size

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

Wingspan: 1⅛″ to 1½″ (28 to 38 mm)

Similar Species

Habitat

Woodlands, old fields, and gardens

Ecology

Season

One generation per year: July to September

Behavior

Adults are active at night and will come to lights.

Life Cycle

Larva Food/Hosts

Low plants, including dandelion and plantain

Adult Food