Ottawa (Dunrobin), ON Canada

10 June 2003   9:33PM EST  (top left)
8 June 2004   10:15PM EST  (top right)
9 June 2004   8:44PM EST  (bottom)

Aplocera plagiata was introduced by Agriculture Canada to several locations in Canada, including the Kanata area of Ottawa, in the late 1980's, as a potential control for Hypericum perforatum or St. Johnswort, which is classed as an invasive noxious weed.  Since then, the moth has steadily expanded its range.

The forewing of Aplocera plagiata is light gray, crossed by many darker gray lines.  In the median area, two groups of clearer lines form bands across the wing, joined by a short bar near the inner margin.  These bands are filled with darker gray, darkest at the costa.  The costal end of a less distinct basal band is similarly dark gray.  The outermost of the dark bands forms an outward point from which a streak of orange-brown extends to the apex.  The hindwing is very pale gray.  At rest, the moth has a very triangular shape, without the slight rounding of the costal edge of the wings observable in many other species of Larentiinae.  From my observations, this species seems to have a preference for resting with its head down, as in the top right photo.

As mentioned above, the host plant for Aplocera plagiata is Hypericum perforatum.  According to Handfield (1999), this species has two generations in my general area, with adult flight seasons from late May through June, and from early August to early September.  I have, however, observed this moth as late as 19 September.

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