Ottawa (Dunrobin), ON Canada

28 May 2003   10:18PM EDT  (top left)
29 July 2003   9:11PM EDT  (top right)
6 June 2003   9:39PM EDT  (center left)
21 June 2003   11:58PM EDT  (center right)
10 July 2003   9:45PM EDT  (bottom)

Hypena deceptalis is one of about 10 species of Hypena recorded from the Ottawa area.

The forewing of Hypena deceptalis ranges from a fairly light grayish brown to a very deep brown, almost black.  According to Covell (1983) the male is darker overall than the female.  In both genders, the yellowish antemedial and postmedial lines are very evident and relatively straight, the am line often having two slightly angular bends, and the pm line usually having just one shallow angular bend about one-third of the way across the wing from the costa.  Regardless of whether the specimen is darker or lighter overall, the subterminal line can be made out as a series of blackish dots, usually with some shading on the inside.  Outside the st line, there may also be some darker shading along at least the center of the outer margin, and some evidence of a paler apical patch.  In lighter specimens, a black dot is normally visible in the median, marking the location of the orbicular spot.  The hindwing is brown.  Covell indicates a wingspan ranging from 2.8 to 3.5 cm.

The larvae of Hypena deceptalis have been reported to feed on basswood (Tilia americana) (Handfield, 1999).  For my general area, Handfield indicates that there are two generations per year, with adult flight seasons from mid-May through June, and from the beginning of July through early August.

I have recorded this species in 2001, on 15, 17, 18, 20, 21 and 24 May, on 7, 14, 18 and 29 June, on 21 and 23 July, and on 1 and 5 August; in 2002, on 29 May, on 9, 10 and 23 June, on 31 July, and on 3 and 17 August; in 2003, on 28 and 30 May, on 4, 6, 18, 21, 27 and 28 June, and on 4, 10 and 29 July; in 2004, on 19 and 27 May.