Blepharomastix ranalis

Distinguished by the combination of hollow-appearing orbicular and reniform spots (outlined in brown rather than filled), the sharply angled postmedial line on the forewing that turns toward the median area and then the inner margin, and the horizontal resting posture with forewings extended beyond hindwings. Similar Crambidae species may have filled spots or different wing line patterns.

Adults have pale tan wings with dark brown antemedial, postmedial, and dashed terminal lines. The forewing postmedial line turns sharply toward the median area and again toward the inner margin. The median area contains an orbicular spot and a reniform spot, each outlined in brown, giving them a hollow appearance. At rest, wings are spread horizontally with the forewing extending further than the hindwing.

Eastern and southern United States, extending from Arizona, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin westward to Florida, New Hampshire, and Quebec eastward; also present in Mexico. Records include Vermont.

Adults active March through October, with peak sightings from April to August.

Adults rest with wings spread horizontally, forewings extended further than hindwings.

• Other Blepharomastix speciesShare genus-level traits; distinguished by specific wing pattern details including the hollow-appearing spots and postmedial line configuration
• Other Crambidae grass mothsSimilar resting posture and general morphology; distinguished by the unique combination of hollow spots and sharply angled postmedial line

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy