Species Trichordestra lilacina - Aster Cutworm - Hodges#10307

10307

Lacanobia lilacina

described in 1874 by Harvey, who originally placed it in genus Mamestra

wingspan about 32 mm, based on two photos by Jim Vargo at MPG

Adult: forewing light brown with dark brown or gray patches; claviform spot conspicuous, cone-shaped, brown with black outline; orbicular spot oblique, pale; reniform spot blackish in lower half; some specimens have mostly grayish forewings with white veins (see example); subterminal line pale, slightly irregular, lacks W-shaped jog near middle, and lacks separate dark triangular spots along medial side; hindwing yellowish-gray with dark diffuse terminal band; fringe white or pale yellow

across southern Canada and northern United States, south in the east to New England, south in the west to California

adults fly from June to August

larvae presumably feed on asters (?)

Wrinkled Trichordestra (T. rugosa) forewing has separate dark triangular spots along medial side of subterminal line; T. tacoma forewing has W-shaped jog in subterminal line (compare images of all 3 species at CBIF)

live adult and larva images plus common name reference (Moth Photographers Group)

pinned adult images plus complete description, life history, and PNW habitat, distribution & collection records (Pacific Northwest Moths)

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

pinned adult images plus photos of related species by Jim Vargo (Moth Photographers Group)

pinned adult image (CBIF)

presence in California list of 3 specimen records with dates and locations (U. of California at Berkeley)

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

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