Hypena baltimoralis

Guenée, 1854

Baltimore Hypena, Baltimore Bomolocha

A of the Erebidae, described by Guenée in 1854. fly from April to October with multiple per year, more numerous in southern portions of its range. The is strongly associated with deciduous forests and maple-feeding larvae.

Hypena baltimoralis by (c) Fyn Kynd Photography, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.Hypena baltimoralis P1490881a by xpda. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.Hypena baltimoralis P1100936a by xpda. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Hypena baltimoralis: /haɪˈpiːnə bɔːltɪˈmɔːrəlɪs/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

The triangular resting posture with concealed hindwings is characteristic of the Hypena. Distinguished from by the large dark forewing patch that extends approximately three-quarters of wing length without touching the inner margin, combined with the diagonal dark lines from wing corners. The grayish-brown ground color with variable female lightness separates it from darker or more uniformly patterned Hypena .

Images

Habitat

Deciduous forests and adjacent edge . Most commonly encountered in or near forested areas with maple presence.

Distribution

Eastern United States, ranging west to Wisconsin and Missouri, south to Florida and Texas.

Seasonality

active April to October; timing varies by latitude. At least two in New England, with additional generations southward.

Diet

Larvae feed on maple (Acer), primarily red maple (A. rubrum) and silver maple (A. saccharinum). feeding habits not documented.

Host Associations

  • Acer rubrum - larval food plantred maple
  • Acer saccharinum - larval food plantsilver maple

Life Cycle

Multiple per year; at least two in northern portions of range, more in south. stage not explicitly documented in sources. Larval development on maple foliage.

Behavior

are and attracted to light. Rest with distinctive triangular posture, forewings overlapping to conceal hindwings.

Ecological Role

Larval herbivore on maple foliage; contributes to nutrient cycling in deciduous forest . Specific ecological interactions beyond herbivory not documented.

Human Relevance

Not documented as an agricultural or forestry pest. Occasionally encountered by enthusiasts at light sources.

Similar Taxa

  • Hypena scabraSimilar triangular resting posture and grayish coloration, but H. scabra larvae feed on herbaceous plants (clover, alfalfa, ragweed) rather than maple, and lack the distinctive large dark forewing patch with diagonal corner lines of H. baltimoralis
  • Other Hypena speciesMany share the triangular resting posture; H. baltimoralis is distinguished by the specific pattern of the large dark forewing patch not reaching the inner margin and the presence of diagonal dark lines from wing corners

More Details

Taxonomic note

placement has shifted; formerly placed in Noctuidae, now recognized in Erebidae ( Hypeninae) based on phylogenetic revisions.

Nomenclature

The 'Baltimore Bomolocha' reflects an older name (Bomolocha) that has been synonymized with Hypena.

Tags

Sources and further reading