Pacific Northwest Moths

Identification

Adults

Globia alameda is a dark brown medium-sized moth (FW length 15 mm; females larger but not measured) that flies in wetlands in southeastern Oregon and southern Idaho during late summer. The forewing is uniform dark brown, sometimes with dark spots on the veins at the positions of the antemedial and postmedial lines but lacking all other markings. The hindwing is gray-tan suffused with darker gray toward the outer margin, with a gray fringe. The head and thorax match the forewing color. The abdomen is relatively long for the size of the wings. The male antenna is bead-like.

This species can be identified by its uniform dark brown forewing and gray hindwing. It is only likely to be found near permanent bodies of water in southeastern Oregon in the Northwest. Globia subflava is similar in size to G. alameda but is dark orange-brown in males, straw-colored in females, with gray veins and lines of black spots on the veins. The relationships of these taxa warrants further evaluation.

Habitat

This species is very narrowly restricted to marshes with permanent water at low elevations east of the Cascades.  It may be locally common in this specific habitat.

Distribution

Pacific Northwest

Globia alameda is restricted to southeastern Oregon and southern Idaho in our region.

Global

This species is found in California south of our region. It has been collected most commonly near San Francisco Bay and in the Central Valley.

Life History

Larvae

No information is presently available regarding the larval biology of this species, but it probably bores into the stems of bulrushes (Scirpus spp., Cyperaceae) and other wetland plants like related species.

Adults

The moths fly during late summer. They have been collected during late July and August in the Pacific Northwest, although they have been found from June to October elsewhere.

Economic Importance

None.

Literature

Moth Photographers Group