Lacinia

Lacinia is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae. The genus was described by Jacob Hübner in 1818. Species within this genus are found in North America.

The adult moths are typically medium-sized with a wingspan ranging from 20 to 40 millimeters. Their forewings are often cryptically colored, displaying patterns of browns, grays, and sometimes black, which aid in camouflage against tree bark or leaf litter. The hindwings are usually a more uniform color, sometimes paler than the forewings. The antennae are filiform in both sexes, though they may be slightly more robust in males.

The larvae of Lacinia moths are generally smooth-bodied caterpillars. Their coloration can vary, but they often exhibit stripes or spots that help them blend with their host plants. They feed on the foliage of various trees and shrubs. The specific host plants can differ between species, but deciduous trees are frequently utilized.

Adult Lacinia moths are primarily nocturnal and are attracted to lights. Their diet as adults is not well-documented, and many species are believed to not feed at all, relying on stored energy from their larval stage. Reproduction occurs seasonally, with adults typically emerging in the late spring or summer. The genus Lacinia is part of the diverse ecosystem of North American forests and woodlands, playing a role in the food chain as both herbivores in their larval stage and as prey for various predators.