Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Lateroligia ophiogramma (Esper, 1793)
Apamea ophiogramma Esper, 1793
* phylogenetic sequence #932363
Numbers
The only
Lateroligia species found in America north of Mexico.
(1)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.
Bug Guide - map with monthly record of photos submitted to the guide.
Moth Photographers Group - large range map with collection dates.
Habitat
Damp woodlands, wet meadows, marshy areas.
Season
Adults fly from June to August.
(2)
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
Lafontaine J. D., and B. C. Schmidt 2010. Annotated check list of the Noctuoidea (Insecta, Lepidoptera) of North America North of Mexico. p. 76.
(1)
Mikkola, K., J. D. Lafontaine & J. D. Gill, 2009. Moths of America North of Mexico, Fascicle 26.9: p. 119; pl. 8.41-43.
(3)
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
Moth Photographers Group - range map, some collection records, living and pinned adults.
Pacific Northwest Moths - description, biology, maps and pinned adult.
BOLD - Barcode of Life Data Systems - collection map and photos of pinned adults.
live adult images (Lynn Scott, Ontario)
live larva image (Jim Porter, Butterflies & Moths of Northern Ireland)
