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Macromoths of Northwest Forests and Woodlands

Species with Uncommon Features

A restricted number of the species of macromoths in the Pacific Northwest can be readily identified by the presence of very obvious unique colors and patterns. We have compiled a limited selection of these species according to categories that set some of the moths apart from those species that are more difficult to identify because they exhibit the most prevalent colors and less distinct patterns of whites, grays, yellows, tans, browns, and blacks. Our special categories are based on the forewing and hindwings being dominated by a basic color or pattern of markings that are less common among the macromoths. When considered as the dominant color of the wing or body, or both, green, white, or dark gray-black are characteristic of certain species. The markings we find characteristic are eyespots, large polka-dots, bold bands, or the silver-white stigma on the forewing. Lastly, transparent wings, or wings with relatively large transparent areas are also characteristic of certain species. While numerous species can be characterized by solid colors of yellow, tan, red-brown, and gray there are too many species fitting such description thereby making a special list of limited value. Below we list the categories with the names of photographed species that we consider to fit into our groupings of uncommon features.

Extensive green coloration on the forewings, hindwings, and body; other markings may be present and are typically white or black:
Campaea perlata, Chlorosea banksaria, Nemoria darwiniata, Feralia februalis, Feralia comstocki, Feralia deceptiva, Zotheca tranquilla.
Extensive white coloration and without other markings on the wings:
Leucoma salicis, Hyphantria cunea, Spilosoma vestalis, Campaea perlata.
Extensive dark gray-black coloration and without small, fine markings on the wings:
Alypia langtoni, Gnophaela vermiculata, Rheumaptera subhastata, Tyria jacobaeae, Cisseps fulvicollis, Aseptis fumosa, Aseptis ethnica, Dasychira grisefacta.
Well defined eyespots on the wings:
Antheraea polyphemus, Saturnia mendocino, Smerinthus cerisyi, Paonias excaecatus, Paonias myops.
Large polka-dots, primarily on the forewing:
Lophocampa argentata, Platyprepia virginalis, Arctia caja.
Extensive bold bands, typically black:
Grammia ornata, Hemileuca eglanterina.
Extensive transparent areas in the wings:
Hemihyalea edwardsii, Hemaris diffinis.
Distinct silver-white stigma on the forewing (Noctuidae: Plusiinae):
Eosphoropteryx thyatyroides, Autographa corusca, Autographa speciosa, Syngrapha epigaea, Syngrapha orophila, Syngrapha rectangula, Syngrapha celsa.

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