Phlox Moth (Schinia indiana), listed as State Endangered, is about 0.6 inch long as adults and can often co-occur with Karner blue butterflies. Phlox moth adults have pink to reddish forewings with triangular violet median areas and slender violet margins. The hind wings, which are rarely visible, are black with yellowish fringe. Wingspan is about 33mm. Larvae are unlikely to be found but have dark or orange heads and bodies that are green suffused with reddish-brown and marked with light lateral stripes. This species is most often found on the brightest or "freshest" blossoms of its host plant, the downy phlox which occurs in pine/oak barrens and scrub oak habitat as well as prairies and roadsides on sandy soils. Downy phlox requires open, sunny sites with some shade and doesn't appear to colonize new openings very quickly. The critical period of the plant's growth from the end of April through July coincides with adult emergence and larval development. It is therefore critical to time spring burns or mowing so that it doesn't disrupt the flowering of the downy phlox, which is needed by the moths. Management is best conducted after mid-July once the larvae have become pupae.
