Pacific Northwest Moths

Identification

Adults

Pyrrhia exprimens is a medium-sized (FW length 14 - 17 mm), smooth, dark orange-brown moth that flies in forests throughout our region during the summer. Its forewing is divided into thirds by the smooth median and postmedial lines and its hindwing is light yellow-brown with a dark gray marginal band. The forewing is orange-tan with a reddish tint, usually lightest from the base to the median line. The pattern of dark on the median and distal wing is variable. Light specimens have dark brown shading that fades toward the outer margin lateral to the median and postmedial lines; in some specimens, the shade at the postmedial line is purplish gray. More often, the brown color is nearly even between these lines, producing a wide brown band, and in a few specimens dark brown extends from the median line to the fringe to produce a two-toned pattern (as illustrated). The lines and outlines of the spots are dark orange-brown. The antemedial line is uneven, zig-zag between veins. The median and postmedial lines are similar, smooth, dark, and angled. The median line has a laterally-directed "nipple" in the cell that touches the lower reniform spot. The postmedial line is drawn toward the base at the costa and is very gently curved elsewhere. The subterminal line is incomplete, scalloped toward the base between veins and sometimes broken into a series of chevrons. The terminal line is thin. The fringe is similar to the ground color. The orbicular spot is moderate in size, round, and filled with the adjacent ground color. The reniform spot is moderately large, asymmetrically kidney-shape, larger anteriorly. It is filled with the color of the adjacent with peripherally, slightly darker gray centrally. There is no claviform spot. The hindwing is light yellow-brown with a dark gray marginal band that usually is incomplete near the outer margin, large discal spot, and veins. The terminal line is red-brown. The hindwing fringe is pale yellow-brown to dark pink. The head and thorax are orange brown, usually slightly darker orange-brown posterior to the collar. The male antenna is bead-like.

This species is unlikely to be confused with other moths in most of the Northwest due to its smooth red-brown forewing with smooth lines with adjacent dark shading in combination with a yellow-brown and dark gray hindwing. It can be confused with Pyrrhia cilisca in western Oregon. This species has a similar color, but is more powdery orange in color with dark shading limited to a purple gray band in the subterminal area. Its hindwing marginal band is lighter purplish to red gray rather than dark gray.

Habitat

This species is widely distributed in moist forests and mountain meadows throughout much of North America.  In the Pacific Northwest, it is rare in coastal rainforests at middle elevations of the Coast Range and along the west slope of the Cascades, and in moist open forests of the Rocky Mountains.

Distribution

Pacific Northwest

Pyrrhia exprimens is widely distributed in forests throughout the Northwest but is never common. It has been found most commonly in a distribution from southeastern British Columbia to southeastern Washington. It occurs sporadically in the Cascade Mountains and the forests west of the mountains.

Global

Pyrrhia exprimens is found across northern Asia to eastern Europe as well as in North America. The North American range extends from coast to coast. It has a broad boreal forest range across the Continent from central British Columbia to the island of Newfoundland. The range extends to New Jersey along the Atlantic Coast and to northern Georgia in the Appalachian Mountains. The range extends south in the mountains of the West, reaching Colorado, northern Arizona, and the Sierra Nevada.

Life History

Larvae

This species feeds on herbaceous plants with a preference for certain Ranunculaceae.  These include columbines (Aquilegia spp.) and Delphinium spp. in the Rocky Mountains, and probably meadowrue (Thalictrum spp.) west of the Cascades based upon the habitat.

Adults

The flight season of P. exprimens extends from late May to early August. It is a nocturnal species that is attracted to lights.

Economic Importance

None.

Literature

BugGuide

Hardwick (1996)

Miller & Hammond (2007)

Moth Photographers Group

Powell & Opler (2009)