Ottawa (Dunrobin), ON Canada

26 June 2003   10:27PM EST

My identification of Saucrobotys futilalis was based on Munroe, E., in Dominick, R.B. et al., The Moths of America North of Mexico, Fascicle 13.2A, Pyraloidea Pyralidae (Part) (London: E.W. Classey, 1976). I have also consulted Forbes, William T.M., The Lepidoptera of New York and Neighboring States, Primitive Forms, Microlepidoptera, Pyraloids, Bombyces (Ithaca, New York: Cornell University, 1923).

Saucrobotys futilalis is apparently a somewhat variable species, ranging in color from powdery gray-brown to powdery orange-brown. Both Munroe (1976) and Forbes (1923) comment on geographic variation in color, and Munroe notes that northern and eastern specimens tend to be more gray-brown. The diffuse dark gray-brown antemedial and postmedial lines are somewhat irregularly toothed. A pale shade borders the postmedial line on the outside. The hindwing is whitish.

According to Munroe (1976), the larva of Saucrobotys futilalis is social, and lives in nests of leaves fastened together, typically on dogbane and Indian hemp. Forbes (1923) states that the adult moth flies in June.

My only record to date for Saucrobotys futilalis (each date representing "the night of") is in the table below: