ipsilon dart, iris borer, Oval Abrostola, Symmerista & FLORIDA FERN MOTH
This is an Iris Borer Moth. The larvae feed on iris rhizomes (and there are a lot of irises in my yard!).
Ipsilon Dart. This is an abundant species in our area, and it is considered an agricultural pest. I have found Ipsilon Darts every month from April through December.
Ipsilon Darts have a worldwide distribution. In England, they are called Dark Sword-grass moths.
Florida Fern Moth. As the name suggests, this species typically lives further south than Ohio. However, these moths occasionally turn up in the north as accidental introductions from ferns purchased at nurseries and garden centers. I found two individuals at my UV lights in 2016: one on August 12th and the other on September 21st. I also found one near an ornamental fern on September 25, 2019.
Another Iris Borer. I have found a couple of these moths at my lights from September through November.
Another Ipsilon Dart. The name comes from the wedge-shaped marking on its wings which looks like the Greek letter upsilon.
Oval Abrostola moth, photographed at Hocking Hills (eastern Ohio) on May 13, 2023. This is my only sighting of this species, which is apparently rare across its range. They feed on nettles.
This moth belongs to the Symmerista genus. Note the white streak along the bottom of the wings, with a triangular point. Several species of Symmerista moths are nearly impossible to distinguish from photos. I usually leave these moths at the genus level.