Sympistis chionanthi

Sympistis chionanthi
Female
Male
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Noctuidae
Genus:	Sympistis
Species:	S. chionanthi
Binomial name
Sympistis chionanthi (J.E. Smith, 1797)[1]
Synonyms
Adita chionanthi J.E. Smith, 1797

Sympistis chionanthi, the Grey O Moth or Fringe-tree Sallow, is a moth of the Noctuidae family. It is found from North Dakota to Nova Scotia south to at least to Virginia and Kansas.^[2] The habitat consists of deciduous woodlands, including riparian woodlands, but also plantations and farmyard shelterbelts.^[3]

Last instar larva

The wingspan is about 33–38 mm. The forewings are pale grey with darker grey shading. The hindwings are white with a narrow greyish-brown border. Adults are on wing from August to October in one generation per year.^[4]

The larvae feed on Fraxinus and Chionanthus species (including Chionanthus virginica) and possibly other Oleaceae species. Larvae can be found in May and June.

References

1. mothphotographersgroup
2. A new cryptic Sympistis from eastern North America revealed by novel larval phenotype and host plant association (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Oncocnemidinae)
3. University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
4. Bug Guide