Species Trichordestra rugosa - Wrinkled Trichordestra - Hodges#10302

10302

Lacanobia rugosa

described in 1875 by Morrison, who originally placed it in genus Mamestra

RUGOSA: from the Latin "rugosus" (wrinkled)

wingspan about 30 mm, based on photo by Jim Vargo at MPG

Adult: forewing dark brown in upper median area and beyond subterminal line; reniform spot, orbicular spot, and veins in median area outlined in white; broad whitish-gray band across subterminal area, with similar-colored shading in lower AM area and sometimes along inner margin; white subterminal line slightly jagged but lacks W-shaped jog near middle; 3 or more separate dark triangular spots along medial side of subterminal line -- a distinctive feature; pale patch along costa at base of wing; hindwing grayish-yellow with broad blackish terminal band, dark veins, and pale fringe

Newfoundland to Ontario and adjacent northeastern states; also recorded in Alberta

acidic northern bogs

adults fly in June and July

Trichordestra tacoma forewing has W-shaped jog halfway along subterminal line; Aster Cutworm (T. lilacina) lacks separate dark triangular spots on medial side of subterminal line (compare images of all 3 species at CBIF)

Moth Photographers Group

pinned adult image (CBIF)

pinned adult images and collection site map (All-Leps)

pinned adult image and photos of similar species by Jim Vargo (Moth Photographers Group)

habitat in Alberta; PDF doc (Doug Macaulay, Alberta Lepidopterists Guild)

presence in Michigan and Wisconsin plus locations and dates [search on species "rugosa"] (Lepidopterists Society Season Summary, U. of Florida)

distribution in Canada list of provinces (U. of Alberta, using CBIF data)

author, date, and original genus (nearctica.com)