Macromoths of Northwest Forests and Woodlands
Orthosia praeses [Noctuidae]
Wingspan 3.8 cm. Forewing may vary from orange-tan to dark red-brown with a pale submarginal line and large discal spots that are usually obscure; hindwing is light red-gray; prothoracic collar is pale yellow or red; thorax is dark brown. This noctuid is common in wet conifer forests in the Pacific West. Moths fly in early spring. Caterpillars feed on the foliage of deerbrush (Ceanothus integerrimus) and spiraea (Spiraea).
Similar species: Orthosia segregata forewing is gray with large discal spots and a black median bar, hindwing gray, widely distributed in the northern Rocky Mountain region, caterpillars feed on buffaloberry (Shepherdia).
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