Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Discestra mutata
described in 1913 by Dod, who originally placed it in genus Mamestra
Explanation of Names
mutata: from the Latin verb "mutare" (to change; to mutate); I don't know how the word applies to the moth but it's the origin of the suggested common name The Mutant, intended as a companion to the name of its sister species
The Nutmeg Size
wingspan about 34-35 mm, based on two Internet photos
Identification
Adult: forewing brownish-gray with double AM and PM lines; orbicular spot oblong; dark shading in lower half of reniform spot; claviform spot cone-shaped (may be dark in some specimens, pale in others); subterminal line whitish, distinct, with large W-shaped jog near middle; fringe checkered with pale and dark scales; hindwing dirty white basally, shading to dark gray distally, with dark gray veins; fringe whitish
Range
western North America: Texas to California, north to British Columbia, east to Manitoba
Season
adults fly from April to October in California
See Also
The Nutmeg (
Anarta trifolii) forewing has a more circular orbicular spot (not oblong), a less distinct subterminal line, and the ground color is yellowish-gray (not brownish-gray)
Anarta obesula forewing is darker overall, with contrasting pale shading in subterminal area, and doesn't occur south of Oregon or west of Alberta
Tridepia nova is paler overall and the ST line does
not have a deeply toothed 'W' that typically reaches the terminal line.