Noctuidae: Plusia nichollae? - Plusia contexta - BugGuide.Net

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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera) » Owlet Moths and kin (Noctuoidea) » Owlet Moths (Noctuidae) » Looper Moths (Plusiinae) » Plusiini » Plusiina » Plusia » Connected Looper - Hodges#8952 (Plusia contexta)

Photo#463347

Copyright © 2010 Carl Barrentine

Noctuidae: Plusia nichollae? - Plusia contexta

Fisher, Polk County, Minnesota, USA
October 9, 2010
Size: Length ~ 2 cm

This one's a newbie for me! I think this Noctuid maybe the Connected Looper (Plusia nichollae). I'm hoping for either confirmation or correction. Thank you! ;-)

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Contributed by Carl Barrentine on 9 October, 2010 - 8:05pm
Last updated 15 November, 2010 - 5:46pm

Moved

Moved from Moths. Moved based on Paul's comment below.

… Lynette Elliott, 15 November, 2010 - 5:46pm

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P. contexta

Comparing pictures of P. nichollae here:

http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/species.php?hodges=8951

To pictures of P. contexta here:

http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/species.php?hodges=8952

Seems to suggest that this is conexta (the two silver spots on the FW of nichollae and putnami are "connected" in contexta)

… Paul Dennehy, 1 November, 2010 - 8:19pm

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Thanks, Paul!

Thanks for your help with this specimen, Paul! I appreciate your expertise! ;-)

… Carl Barrentine, 15 November, 2010 - 10:55pm

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Looks right

Take a look and see comments on the species I put up to aid in determining the correct placement.

… Dick Wilson, 10 October, 2010 - 9:15am

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Thanks, Dick!

Thanks for your help! I first consulted C.V. Covell's book (A Field Guide to the Moths of Eastern North America, 1984), when trying to ID this specimen. My sense was that it looked like a pretty good match with 'P. contexta' (see image of a male specimen from Wisconsin on Plate 32, Image 6, on p. 239). I tried to find a BG image of 'P. contexta' but had no luck. Covell does show and image of 'P. putnami' (see Plate 32, Image 4, p. 239). My specimen (above) really does resemble 'P. contexta' more than 'P. putnami' for the very reasons you address in distinguishing 'P. nichollae' with 'P. putnami'. I can only guess that 'P. nichollae' must now be the preferred name for 'P. contexta'? Candidly, I've so much to learn about moth identification/taxonomy, but I am trying to get a better understanding (moth by moth, mistake by mistake). Again, thanks for your help with this, Dick! ;-)

… Carl Barrentine, 10 October, 2010 - 10:38am

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Moved

Moved from ID Request.

… Carl Barrentine, 9 October, 2010 - 8:05pm

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