Ottawa (Dunrobin), ON Canada

11 August 2003   11:38PM EST

My identification of Pyrausta orphisalis was based on Munroe, E., in Dominick, R.B. et al., The Moths of America North of Mexico, Fascicle 13.2B, Pyraloidea Pyralidae (Part) (London: E.W. Classey, 1976).

The forewing of Pyrausta orphisalis is mainly reddish brown, with yellow markings.  The basal area is yellowish.  In the reddish-brown median, the yellowish orbicular spot is not always well defined.  A large yellow spot nestles inside the outward curve of the postmedial line a short distance below the costa.  The postmedial line is bordered to varying degrees with yellow along its outer edge.  The brown hindwing is dominated by a bright yellow postmedial band, fairly wide in the middle of the wing, bordered with dark brown to black on both sides.  The fringe of both hindwing and forewing is grayish.  Munroe (1976) gives a forewing length of 5.6 to 8 mm for this species.

According to Munroe (1976), the larva of Pyrausta orphisalis has been reared on savory and from a species of Monarda, and probably feeds on various species in the mint family. Although Pyrausta orphisalis is mainly a day flier, it is occasionally attracted to light at night.  Munroe indicates two generations per year for the Ottawa area, with adult flight seasons in late May to early June, and in July to early August.

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