Ottawa (Dunrobin), ON Canada

16 July 2003   9:26PM EST  (top left)
5 July 2005   12:37AM EST  (top right)
8 July 2005   10:28PM EST  (bottom left)
9 July 2005   10:25PM EST  (bottom right

Vaxi critica is one of two species of Vaxi that occur in the Ottawa area.  My initial identification of this species was based on comparison with specimens in the Canadian National Collection at Ottawa.  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).

The forewing of Vaxi critica is silver white.  A band of bright orange-yellow crosses the middle of the wing, sometimes showing some brownish edging.  At the inner margin, the inner edge of this band angles inwards, sometimes extending into a fine narrow line of orange inward to the base of the wing.  The fringe is orange-yellow, preceded by a fine dark terminal line.  The hindwing is entirely white.  Forbes (1923) gives a wingspan of 18 mm for this species.

I have found no information on the host plant for Vaxi critica. Forbes (1923) indicates an adult flight season in July.

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