Pacific Northwest Moths

Identification

Adults

Neoligia lancea is a very small to small moth (FW length 9–12 mm) that flies in the dry interior of the Northwest during summer and fall. It has a mottled gray forewing with a black median dash, variable darker base and median area, and pale reniform spot. The ground color is mottled medium-dark gray, but many forms have differing darker gray areas. A faint red flush is present on the median area of some lighter specimens. In other specimens the median area is darker gray, and in many the entire wing is similarly dark to the base. The terminal area is also variable, often mottled darker gray with or without a triangular black spot near the anal angle. A black median dash is present. Some specimens have dark veins in the subterminal area. The basal and antemedial lines are gray, double, filled with the gray ground. The basal line is evident as paired spots on the costa. The antemedial line is slightly undulating and excurved with a slight bulge in the fold. The median line is gray, evident on the costa in lighter specimens. The postmedial line is gray, S-shaped with a tight loop around the end of the reniform spot and slightly concave toward the base below the spot. The subterminal line is light gray, diffuse, irregular in course, and preceded by a discontinuous gray shade. The fringe is lightly checkered medium and dark gray. The orbicular spot is ovoid, taller than wide, usually ill-defined except when filled with light gray. The reniform spot is moderate-sized, outlined by a double gray line and filled with light gray. The claviform spot is black, small, often absent. The hindwing is light gray with darker gray margin and a thin terminal line. The hindwing fringe is two-toned gray. The head and thorax are dark gray. The male antenna is filiform.

This species can be recognized by its dull mottled gray color with a black median dash but lacking much of a distinct pattern. Specimens with dark median areas and bases are similar to several other Neoligia species, including Neoligia tonsa, Neoligia albirena, and Neoligia lillooet. Definitive identification requires assessment of genitalia structure which is most easily performed in males by removing the scales from the tip of the valves with a small brush. The ventral process at the base of the cucullus is thin, cylindrical, and C-shaped with the base coursing slightly anteriorly before the process curves posteriorly. Those of the other species are shorter, flat rather than round in cross-section, and the proximal portions extend perpendicular to the lower margin or the valve or slightly posteriorly rather than anteriorly. The tip of each cucullus is blunted. Females are best associated with the males or can be determined by dissection as illustrated by Troubridge & Lafontaine (2002).

The type locality of Neoligia lancea Troubridge is Drake Peak, Lake County, Oregon.

Habitat

This species is primarily a desert species found in dry grasslands and sagebrush steppe at low elevations east of the Cascades.  It has been collected less commonly in dry forests and on ridges at middle elevations. It may be locally common, and is the most frequently encountered species of Neoligia in the Columbia Basin. It appears to be less common than Neoligia tonsa in similar habitats in southeastern Oregon.

Distribution

Pacific Northwest

This species is fairly widespread east of the Cascade crest as far north as the southern Okanagan Valley in British Columbia. It has been collected in Oregon and Washington.

Global

This species has not been recorded from outside of the Pacific Northwest.

Life History

Larvae

No information is presently available regarding the larval biology of this species.

Adults

The flight period of N. lancea is late spring to fall. It has been collected most commonly in late summer and early September in our area. It is nocturnal and comes to lights.

Economic Importance

None.

Literature

Moth Photographers Group

Troubridge & Lafontaine (2002)