BLACK-BANDED BROCADE
Oligia modica
OWLET MOTH FAMILY (Noctuidae)
Description
The Black-banded Brocade has a wingspan of 1.75 inches. The forewing is pale tan to bluish gray with brown shading. There is a black wedge that points downward from the costa between the whitish orbicular and reniform spots. The blue-black claviform blotch nearly meets the black wedge. This moth looks similar to some pinion moths with its protruding "shoulders" formed by the large, bushy thorax.
Occurrence
The frequency of occurrence is unknown. Two individuals were seen and photographed at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center in mid-September. These moths were apparently attracted to the lights at the Nature Center.
Comments
The larval food is unrecorded. This moth is in the Cutworm or Dart Moth Subfamilly, Noctuinae and the Tribe, Apameini. The larvae in the Apameini Tribe are borers, subterranean cutworms or root feeders. The bodies of Apameine caterpillars tend to be mostly unpigmented, therefore the pigmentation pattern on the prothoracic shield and armoring of the anal plate are diagnostic for many.
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is: Babs Padelford.
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