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Photo#146643
929 Plusia nichollae - No Common Name 8951 - Plusia nichollae

929 Plusia nichollae - No Common Name 8951 - Plusia nichollae
Bay Center 98527 Willapa, Pacific County, Washington, USA
September 9, 2007
DSCF5806.jpg
Locality: Coastal SW Washington State at the edge of Willapa Bay
geo:lat=46.624389 geo:lon=-123.949728
Three similar species of Plusia are noted. P. putnami and nichollae seem distinct from P. contexta with a well defined and visible reniform spot outlined with a darker border and it interrupts the golden rectangular interventional bars. In contrast in P. contexta these golden bars cross into the faint or lacking reniform spot. (See specimens on CBIF and MPG.

Between P. nichollae and putnami all the other characters if not identical seem to be varietal intergrades. For the most obvious example the shape of the large white claviform spot (if I have the term right) in the specimens which I feel are the same species collected from the same porch over several years in various summer months) is illustrative of the variablity. We see, two lobes separated and connected, two lobes with small third one just anterior of the larger proximal area and on one specimen a connected lobe on one side and separated on the other. These two species from the external morphology certainly are quite similar if not identical within the possible variation noted. I will label with the species, Plusia putnami, Grote, 1873 #8950 over P. nichollae (1913) in reference to the earlier description and welcome the discussion by experts.

Thanks to Professor Jan Metlevski of Kansas State University and his illustrated distinction between P. putnami and P. nichollae. See his labeling and citation of Lafontaine and Poole here: and .

Moved
Moved from Plusia.

Connected Looper Moth - Plus
Connected Looper Moth - Plusia contexta

 
I wonder what characters were used
I tried to point out the variablity in the lobed white 'claviform spots' and in fact this specimen (929) has one side separated into two lobes. I found or felt the shape and configuration very unreliable for species placement. I have several other specimens of this form also.

I also felt the relationship of the golden 'bars' on the subterminal area with the reniform spot was much more definitive between the eastern and and western species. I don't think P. contexta is really west of the Rockies is it?

Please explain what characters other than the big white wing spot is being used taxonomically.

Thanks for your help

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