Steve,

Placing to species level is nice but as you know we can only do so much with photos and I greatly appreciate your efforts to place my submissions as far as the taxonomy allows, but some moths require more investigation which I understand. I try to get the best photographs I can and I am happy with any level you get moths identified to.

Just to be clear, I was certainly not criticizing this photo or the condition of the moth. In fact, it was a bit perplexing that this moth seemed to be very fresh with all the fringe in tact. The 'vague maculation' in my comment actually ended up being a key to this placement to species. When I saw your earlier submission (linked below) from a year before in San Bernadino County, I immediately recognized it with the same vague maculation and it inspired me to investigate these further. This second image of yours and MONA Fascicle 27-2 was quite helpful with both info and photos that quickly narrowed this down to serricornis. This is really the only spring flying species to be expected at these locations and have vague maculation that includes dark filled spots with pale outlines. So it looks like I jumped the gun on suggesting frass of this one!

No offense taken, as my response was general comment and not a response to frass. I sometimes enter the same moth photo twice, so I am glad you guys catch these things.