Macromoths of Northwest Forests and Woodlands
Polia purpurissata [Noctuidae]
Wingspan 4.8 cm. Forewing is purple-lavender with a jagged, dentate black submarginal line; hindwing is brown. This noctuid is widely distributed in western North America, particularly abundant in ponderosa pine forests. Moths fly in midsummer. Caterpillars feed on the foliage of many flowering trees and shrubs, often found on bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata).
Similar species: Polia nugata forewing with streaks of gray, hindwing white, widely distributed in western North America, particularly abundant in juniper and pinyon pine woodlands.
Previous Species -- Polia nimbosa
Return to Listing of Noctuidae
Next Species -- Lacanobia liquida
