About Macrochilo morbidalis Guenée, 1854
Chytolita is a monotypic litter moth genus in the family Erebidae, which was erected by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1873. Its only species is Chytolita morbidalis, commonly called the morbid owlet moth or morbid owlet, that was first described by Achille Guenée in 1854, with the scientific name Macrochilo morbidalis Guenée, 1854. This species is found across much of North America: it occurs from coast to coast in the northern part of the continent, and ranges south to North Carolina, Texas, and Florida in the west. Its habitat is made up of deciduous woods and woodland edges. The wingspan of adults measures 29–35 mm. The forewings are pale grayish white, marked with diffuse brownish or orangish lines. The hindwings are an even paler shade, with faint grayish veins. Adult moths are active from May to August, and there appears to be one generation per year. The larvae feed on the leaves of a wide range of deciduous trees, and have been successfully reared on dandelion, grass, hazel, and lettuce. There are also records of larvae feeding on dead leaves, including dried white oak leaves.
