Species Apamea occidens - Western Apamea - Hodges#9346

9346

described in 1878 by Grote, who originally placed it in genus Hadena

occidens: a Middle English or Latin word meaning "the west" or "western"; refers to western North America in this case, and is the origin of the suggested common name Western Apamea

wingspan about 41-46 mm, based on two Internet photos

Adult: forewing gray with well-defined lines and large pale discal spots, broad gray subterminal band (sometimes tinted with pink), and no dentate subterminal line; AM line white, double, lobed; black anal dash, and short black basal dash; hindwing brownish-gray with dark veins and discal spot, black terminal line, and white fringe

California to Colorado, north to British Columbia and Alberta

dry pine and juniper forests; adults are nocturnal and come to light

adults fly from June to August

larvae feed on grasses

several other western Apamea species have a W-shaped tooth in the subterminal line, or have a different combination of features on the forewing -- see photos of many related species by Jim Vargo in MPG link below

Moth Photographers Group (MPG)

Pacific Northwest Moths