Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
described in 1878 by Grote, who originally placed it in genus Hadena
Explanation of Names
occidens: a Middle English or Latin word meaning "the west" or "western"; refers to western North America in this case, and is the origin of the suggested common name Western Apamea
Size
wingspan about 41-46 mm, based on two Internet photos
Identification
Adult: forewing gray with well-defined lines and large pale discal spots, broad gray subterminal band (sometimes tinted with pink), and no dentate subterminal line; AM line white, double, lobed; black anal dash, and short black basal dash; hindwing brownish-gray with dark veins and discal spot, black terminal line, and white fringe
Range
California to Colorado, north to British Columbia and Alberta
Habitat
dry pine and juniper forests; adults are nocturnal and come to light
Season
adults fly from June to August
See Also
several other western Apamea species have a W-shaped tooth in the subterminal line, or have a different combination of features on the forewing -- see photos of many related species by Jim Vargo in MPG link below
Internet References
pinned adult image plus photos of related species by Jim Vargo (Moth Photographers Group)
pinned adult image plus description, habitat, flight season, foodplants, similar species (Jeff Miller, Macromoths of Northwest Forests and Woodlands; USGS)
pinned adult image by G.G. Anweiler, plus links to distribution and seasonality (Strickland Entomological Museum, U. of Alberta)
presence in California; list of 13 specimen records with dates and locations (U. of California at Berkeley)
presence in Colorado; PDF doc list (Jim Bowman, US National Parks Service, Colorado)
distribution in Canada list of provinces (U. of Alberta, using CBIF data)
