Macromoths of Northwest Forests and Woodlands
Diarsia esurialis [Noctuidae]
Wingspan 3.3 cm. Forewing is yellow, orange, or pink-lavender, often with the discal cell black between the discal spots. This noctuid is endemic but abundant in wet coastal forests in the Pacific West. Moths fly in midsummer. Caterpillars feed on the foliage of hazelnut (Corylus) and alders (Alnus).
Similar species: Diarsia rosaria forewing is red-brown, abundant and widely distributed in wet conifer forests of western North America, caterpillars feed on grasses; Ochropleura implecta (Noctuidae) forewing is red-brown but with a white costal margin, hindwing white, widely distributed but particularly abundant in wet coastal forests, caterpillars feed on herbs and willow (Salix); Xestia smithii (Noctuidae) forewing without a black discal cell between the discal spots, common in wet conifer forests, caterpillars feed on both herbs and the foliage of flowering trees and shrubs; Paradiarsia littoralis (Noctuidae) forewing is yellow to pale brown, hindwing black, male antennae pectinate, abundant in the Rocky Mountains, caterpillars feed on herbs.
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