it is certainly closer than the Melanchra! I just checked Wagner's book to see how I missed it and his photo is of the green for, but comments on the huge variability, which is also obvious from the posts here. The markings are very much like the green form that Tom Murray posted. He is also in NH, but at the Northern most end of the state and I am in the southeast. Would be interesting to know if the variability is regional.

As I recall, it pupated soon thereafter so it may have been more purple in color and then lightened up to the pretty rose. Should I move these or get a few more opinions first? Though I do believe you are correct. OK, now comes the [b]obvious[/i] question for me - why the heck didn't I ever think of posting here before?!?!?! :-O

thanks!

Let's see what Tom Murray has to say

I'm thinking it might be one of the other 3 species of Cucullia that Wagner mentions. The yellow dorsal stripe on this one narrows noticibly anterior and posterior. I don't see that in any of the other pictures, especially on the front. It's hard to judge the size, but it looks a little small. Wagner lists it as 4.5cm(1 3/4").
That's just my opinion, for what it's worth.

Hi Tom,

That's what John & Jane said. One of their photos seem to show narrowing at anterior end. With all the variability thsi probably fits. I think I'll send it to Dave Wagner.

As for size it may well have been more than the 1.5" I remember - it was summer 2003. I will look for them next summer and rear to adult for proper i.d.

thanks! :)

and put a note on the guide page that there may be more than one species there until we can sort these out. ok?