Anagrapha falcifera

Common and widespread. This is a serious pest on many crop species.

May to September. Two or more generations per year.

Meadows, pastures, crops, roadsides, and other open areas

Wingspan: 1¼″ to 19 ⁄16″

This is a medium-sized moth that is active both day and night. There are two forms, a gray form and a brown form. The gray form is more common early in the season.

The antennae are not feathered.

The outer margin, leading edge (costal margin), and base of the forewing of the gray form is light gray to brownish-gray. The inner margin is conspicuously indented at the postmedian region. There is a large, rectangular, dark brown patch in the median portion. The stigma is a curved, silvery-white bar that forms a loop at the end. The upper arm of the stigma is a short spur. The lower arm extends to the inner margin of the wing along the basal edge of the dark patch. Beyond the stigma reddish spot is usually visible.

The hindwing is reddish-brown or grayish-brown with a narrow, pale, postmedian region.

The brown form is similar but has a dark reddish-brown forewing with paler, grayish-brown outer margin and basal regions.

Plantain (Plantago), viburnum (Viburnum), clover, and various crops.

Flower nectar

Pupa overwinter in the soil and emerge in the spring when the temperature reaches 50°F.