General Description

E. perpolita belongs in the ridingsiana group of the subgenus Orosagrotis. They are medium-size moths (3.3-3.8 cm wingspan) with silky black or dark maroon forewings and smoky brown hindwings. Forewings are essentially unmarked, except for a usually indistinct black outline of the reniform and orbicular spots. The maroon form is most likely to be mistaken for dark specimens of Abagrotis brunneipennis, which may be found flying in the same habitat at the same time. Brunneipennis shares the same silky appearance, but usually has an indistinct paler terminal band, more rounded forewings, and darker hindwings.