Macromoths of Northwest Forests and Woodlands
Mesogona rubra [Noctuidae]
Wingspan 4.2 cm. Forewing is red, pink-gray, or pale pink, with obscure discal spots; hindwing is red. This species was recently described by one of us (PCH) and Lars Crabo with some of the type specimens provided by caterpillars that were field-collected and reared by one of us (JCM). This is just one example of how the collection, description, and host plant relationships of many species remain to be discovered. This noctuid is common and occurs in dry forests in the Pacific West. Moths fly in fall. Caterpillars feed on the foliage of manzanita (Arctostaphylos).
Similar species: Orthosia mys forewing is falcate, hindwing pale pink-white.
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