Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
Wingspan 5.4 cm. Wings with white patches outlined by black veins on a black background. This arctiid is common and widely distributed at mid elevations among the mountain ranges of western North America. Moths fly during the day in midsummer. Caterpillars feed on foliage and flowers of bluebells (Mertensia).
Similar species: Gnophaela latipennis has white patches on the wings reduced to small spots, caterpillars feed on foliage of hound's tongue (Cynoglossum); Alypia langtoni is smaller, wings black with white patches, caterpillars feed on foliage of fireweed (Epilobium).