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Photo#141846
66 Malacosoma californicum [T] - Western Tent Caterpillar Moth 7702 - Malacosoma californica - male

66 Malacosoma californicum [T] - Western Tent Caterpillar Moth 7702 - Malacosoma californica - Male
Bay Center 98527 Willapa, Pacific County, Washington, USA
June 29, 2003
Size: wingspan ~29mm
I would like confirmation of M. californicum - Western Tent Caterpillar Moth 7702

Specimen Number 66 Fam: Lasiocampidae
Locality: Coastal SW Washington State at the edge of Willapa Bay
geo:lat=46.624389 geo:lon=-123.949728

Malacosoma californicum is based on the light highlight of the antemedial and postmedial lines with the medial area, if different in shade, slightly darker brown. Specimens #66, #68 and #912 conform to patterns ascribed to Malacosoma californicum. M. americanum with also a lighter accent to the AM and PM lines seems to usually have a lighter medial area. M. disstria, if lines are accented generally seems to be a darker shade.

Personal Note: The variation noted on posted specimens and those from here (the three individuals I post were all flying in the same two days) and species differences seem to be within a range of variation probably not only influenced by disjunct and localized forest habitats including the vegetation and climate but within the same breeding populations. Perhaps with more specimens from different areas this will be made more definitive. But again this a problem for the experts. A couple refs: MPG images JV39.1 and
Canadian specimen images.

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