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Athetis tarda
Owlet Moth (Family Noctuidae): Adult - forewing dark grayish-brown; lines darker but usually inconspicuous; ST line wavy with pale tan to yellowish edging; spots inconspicuous, blackish; group of 4 pale dots around perimeter of reniform spot is diagnostic but not always present. Wingspan is 23-35 mm.
Very common in oak woodlands. This one was photographed at the edge of a southern deciduous forest in the midlands of South Carolina.
Hodges#9650. Larvae feed on dead oak leaves. TARDA: from the Latin "tardus" (slow), and the origin of the common name The Slowpoke. Wagner et al. notes that the aptly-named caterpillar is lethargic and will feign death when disturbed. Per BAMONA, this is a new record for this species for Edgefield County, SC.
Spotted on Apr 16, 2013
Submitted on Jul 16, 2013
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