Hydrelia inornata
(Hulst, 1896)
Unadorned Carpet Moth
Hydrelia inornata, the unadorned carpet , is a small moth in the . It is characterized by its relatively plain, unmarked pattern that distinguishes it from more . The is broadly distributed across eastern and central North America, with records spanning from the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan south through the United States to North Carolina and Tennessee. The wingspan is approximately 15 mm, making it one of the smaller members of the Hydrelia.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Hydrelia inornata: /hɪˈdriːliə ɪnɔːrˈneɪtə/
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Identification
The specific epithet "inornata" (meaning "unadorned") refers to the relatively plain pattern that distinguishes this from other Hydrelia species, which typically exhibit more prominent markings, , or spots. The wingspan of about 15 mm is notably small for the . Positive identification to species level likely requires examination of or other microscopic features, as many Hydrelia species are similar in general appearance.
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Distribution
Eastern and central North America. Canadian records: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan. United States records: Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and West Virginia. The distribution spans , temperate deciduous, and mixed forest regions.
Similar Taxa
- Other Hydrelia speciesMany share similar size and general shape but typically exhibit more prominent wing markings, , or spots that H. inornata lacks. Examination of is often necessary for definitive separation.
More Details
Taxonomic note
The was described by George D. Hulst in 1896. The Hydrelia belongs to the Larentiinae, a diverse group of carpet within .
Observation frequency
iNaturalist records over 5,000 observations, suggesting the is relatively commonly encountered by observers in its range, though this may reflect observer effort rather than true abundance.