2. Arugisa lutea (Smith, 1900) Common Arugisa

(Figs. 40–41 Map 20)

Identification. Forewing length 8.5–11.4 mm. Arugisa lutea forewing ground color is cream colored with a pale yellowish cast with a large, gray, quadrate orbicular spot. At the base of the forewing on the costa is a small patch of black scales; antemedial line begins with a black dash on the costa that is almost contiguous with the large, gray orbicular spot; medial line begins with a black spot on the costa and then becomes a series of small black spots that run in a vertical line to the posterior margin of the forewing; reniform spot absent; postmedial line absent; subterminal area is a narrow band of black scales; terminal line consists of a series of triangular black spots between the wing veins. Hind wing is gray with no markings. Labial palpi are porrect and about twice the length of the head and the frons is scaled.

Flight period. June to August, probably more than one brood.

Collected localities. North Carolina: Swain Co.: Welch Ridge, 300 ft above Lake Fontana. Tennessee: Blount Co.: Cades Cove Loop, Abrams Creek; Tremont; Foothills Parkway West at E end; Cocke Co.: Foothills Parkway at I-40; Foothills Parkway at 2nd pullout; Foothills Parkway, 1.3 mi N of 321. (8 specimens)

Elevation range. 1001–1801 ft. (305–549 m)

General distribution. This is a southern species distributed from Maryland south to Florida and west to and Misssissippi and eastern Texas.

Larval hosts. Living and dead grasses, such as Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis L., Poaceae) (Covell 1984).

MAP 20. Collecting localities of Arugisa lutea.