Ottawa (Dunrobin), ON Canada

30 July 2005   10:14PM EST  (top left)
12 August 2005   9:27PM EST  (top right)
14 August 2005   8:19PM EST  (bottom)

My initial identification of Pyrausta acrionalis was based on Covell (1984).  For additional information, I have also relied 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).

Pyrausta acrionalis has deep rose to rose-purple wings with deep yellow markings.  On the forewing, the outermost part of the costa is edged with yellow to the apex, and on both forewing and hindwing the outer margin is edged with yellow, with a yellow fringe on all wings.  On the forewing, it is difficult to make out the postmedial line, as it is virtually the same color as the background.  The costal end is usually visible against the yellow costal edging, below which it skirts a large yellow spot, then curves sharply inward before zigzagging to the inner margin.  These last zig zags cross between a yellow spot in the median and a yellow shade on the outer edge of the postmedial line.  On the hindwing, the color is often less intense and sometimes grayish rose, but a pale postmedial shade can be seen on the rose-purple background.  Covell (1984) gives a wingspan of 1.4 to 1.8 cm for this species.

According to Munroe (1976), the life history for Pyrausta acrionalis is unknown. He indicates that the adult moth occurs from May to late August in Ontario and New York, probably triple-brooded.

My records to date for Pyrausta acrionalis (each date representing "the night of") are in the table below: