Identification
forewing light whitish-brown with large darker brown patch extending from beyond reniform spot along costa to above orbicular spot; reniform spot pale brown and clearly defined within the darker area; postmedial line composed of several small black dots; subterminal line indistinct; anal angle area has distinctive wedge-shaped dark streak
hindwing pale whitish-brown with fine dark veining
Range
British Columbia, and from Manitoba to New Brunswick plus adjacent U.S. states
native to, and distributed throughout, Eurasia
Habitat
damp woodlands, wet meadows, marshy areas
Season
adults fly from June to August
larvae from August to freeze-up and again in spring until June
Food
larvae feed on various grasses such as Manna Grass (Glyceria spp.) and Canary Grass (Phalaris spp.)
Life Cycle
one generation per year; overwinters as a larva in leaf litter and under matted grasses
Remarks
accidentally introduced from Europe: first reported in North America in 1989 in British Columbia, now found in four other provinces (MN, ON, QC, NB) and at least four states (NY, OH, VT, WI)
Print References
Troubridge, J. T., S. M. Fitzpatrick, and J. D. Lafontaine. 1992. Apamea ophiogramma (Esper), a Palearctic cutworm new to North America (Lepidoptera:Noctuidae). Canadian Entomologist 124: 109-112.
Internet References
live adult image plus common name reference, description, habitat, and other info (Butterflies & Moths of Northern Ireland)
live adult image and other info (Ian Kimber, UK Moths)
live adult images (Lynn Scott, Ontario)
live adult image (Mike Wall, Hants Moths)
live adult image (Josef Hlasek, Czech Republic)
live adult image and larval food plants (Toon Verbruggen, Belgium)
pinned adult images (Natural History Museum of Sweden)
live larva image (Jim Porter, Butterflies & Moths of Northern Ireland)
notes on introduction to North America and literature citation (invasive.org)
Contributed by
Robin McLeod on 16 July, 2005 - 12:13am
Additional contributions by
Bob PattersonLast updated 19 July, 2009 - 2:14pm
