Macromoths of Northwest Forests and Woodlands
Apamea occidens [Noctuidae]
Wingspan 4.6 cm. Forewing is gray with well-defined lines and discal spots, a broad gray postmedian band, no dentate submarginal line. This noctuid is common and widely distributed in dry pine and juniper forests in western North America. Moths fly in early to midsummer. Caterpillars feed on grasses.
Similar species: about 14 species of Apamea have similar gray colors; Apamea acera forewing is pale gray and obscurely marked; Apamea centralis is part of a group of about 8 species that are smaller in size and have a sharply dentate submarginal line; the Apamea, subgenus Crymodes, group consists of about 4 species that have a pale gray to black-brown forewing with a mottled appearance, including Apamea devastator, a pest of pastures and grain crops.
Previous Species -- Apamea antennata
Return to Listing of Noctuidae
Next Species -- Apamea castanea
