Mystery moth - Faronta - BugGuide.Net

Not Mythimna

It looks like Faronta. The specimen isn't the best...but if it has any pink coloration at all then it will be Faronta rubripennis, which feeds on prairie grasses and I've collected it regularly around Champaign. If no pink, then it's probably another Faronta that I can't quite place with this image (no offense to your photography).

… Chris Grinter, 4 December, 2008 - 6:46pm

Thanks again!

Chris, thanks again for your helpful identification. I checked my specimen today against the Faronta in the IL Natural History Survey and and does indeed look very similar to Faronta rubripennis. It also has some similarity to F. diffusa. However, if I were to bet I would put my chips on F. rubripennis. Coincidentally, there were only about 7 specimens of F. rubripennis in the collection.

… J. D. Bradshaw, 5 December, 2008 - 2:50pm

...

Yes it's not a common moth, but you can find it when you're looking. Nice catch!

… Chris Grinter, 5 December, 2008 - 6:22pm

More to note.

I collected about 7 larvae of this critter at one location (they were not locally rare) and I have also collected some larvae in South Dakota that appeared the same. Guess I am on to something.

… J. D. Bradshaw, 5 December, 2008 - 6:45pm

Thanks.

Thanks for the tentative ID. No offense taken regarding the image. You are correct; it isn't a very good photo and the specimen was not spread very well. Sometimes you have to work with what you have ;-)

… J. D. Bradshaw, 4 December, 2008 - 7:59pm

My guess would be something c

My guess would be something close to Mythimna unipuncta, but you'll want to wait for a more authoritative identification.

… Dennis Haines, 4 December, 2008 - 12:02pm

In looking at Mythimna unipuncta...

My specimen does not have the white dots on the forewings as appears characteristic for M. unipuncta.

… J. D. Bradshaw, 4 December, 2008 - 12:12pm

Thanks for the quick reply...

I will anxiously await more feedback.

… J. D. Bradshaw, 4 December, 2008 - 12:07pm