Macromoths of Northwest Forests and Woodlands

Autographa speciosa [Noctuidae]

Wingspan 3.8 cm. Forewing has contrasting zones of black and gray with a comma-shaped white stigma. This species was previously considered a rare moth known only from three sites extending from Vancouver Island to the central Sierra Nevada. This noctuid is now known to be widespread in old-growth forests and high mountain meadows of western Oregon. Moths fly in midsummer.

Similar species: Autographa v-alba is a rare species occurring in the Cascade Mountains and northern Rocky Mountains, stigma is v-shaped; Autographa californica forewing is mottled with gray, stigma is comma-shaped, abundant and widespread in western North America, caterpillars feed on the foliage of many herbaceous plants and can be a pest on crops such as alfalfa (Medicago sativa), peppermint (Mentha piperita), and cabbage (Brassica oleraceae).

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