Leuconycta diphteroides

Small noctuid with greenish coloration; distinguished from similar species by color and association with goldenrod and aster host plants. Wingspan 27–32 mm falls within range of many small noctuids, requiring close examination for positive identification.

Wingspan 27–32 mm. Coloration includes greenish tones that contribute to its common name.

Associated with habitats supporting larval host plants Solidago and Aster species; found in areas where goldenrod and aster grow.

Eastern and central North America: Nova Scotia south to Florida, west to Texas, north to Saskatchewan. Records from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Vermont, and throughout the eastern United States.

Adults active May through September. Multiple broods likely given extended flight period.

Larvae feed on Solidago (goldenrod) and Aster species.

• Solidago - larval food plantmultiple species
• Aster - larval food plantmultiple species

Complete metamorphosis with larval stage feeding on host plants. Adult flight period May–September suggests overwintering stage not definitively established from sources.

Larval herbivore on native perennial plants; contributes to energy flow in plant-insect food webs. Adult role in pollination not documented.

No documented economic or agricultural significance. Occasionally encountered by naturalists and moth enthusiasts.

• Other small greenish Noctuidaesimilar size and coloration; requires examination of genitalia or host association for definitive identification

• noctuidae
• north america
• herbivore
• goldenrod
• aster

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life