2. Ponometia erastrioides (Guenée), Small Bird-dropping Moth

(Figs. 5–6, Map 3)

Identification: Forewing length 8.0-9.0 mm. Ponometia erastrioides has a cream colored forewing with a large black patch in the distal half that does not extend to apex. The orbicular spot is a tiny black dot. The round, gray reniform spot is present, but obscured by the black distal patch. The black distal patch and slightly smaller size distinguishes it from P. candefacta .

Flight period: Three distinct dates in the Park, early June, mid July, and mid September, probably representing multiple broods.

MAP 3. Collecting localities of Ponometia erastrioides .

Collected localities: North Carolina: Haywood Co.: Purchase Knob. Tennessee: Blount Co.: W Foothills Parkway at E end; Cades Cove Ranger Station; Cocke Co.: Foothills Parkway East; Foothills Parkway East, south overlook. (13 specimens)

Collected localities: 1001–4924 ft. (305–1501 m)

General distribution: Widespread throughout the east from Quebec, Canada and Maine, south to Florida, and west to Minnesota, Michigan, the Great Plains to Kansas, and southern Arizona. Larval host: Various species of ragweed ( Ambrosia spp., Asteraceae) (Crumb 1956).