Pacific Northwest Moths

Identification

Adults

Mesapamea secalis is an introduced, small to medium-sized (FW 12.5–14 mm) stout noctuid that is very variable in appearance, typically with a nondescript dark forewing with a prominent light reniform spot. Its range is spreading in western British Columbia and Washington. The forewing can be light olive brown, dark reddish-brown, or blackish-brown. The pattern is variable, mottled, nearly uniform, or light with contrasting darker medial area. Dark gray patches in the terminal area opposite the cell and near the tornus are conspicuous in light individuals, but barely evident in dark ones. Transverse lines are double, gray to black, with filling slightly lighter than the ground. The reniform spot is conspicuous, with ochre, white, or both colors varying from peripheral spots to filling the spot. The orbicular and claviform spots are present but inconspicuous. A faint basal dash is evident only in light specimens. The hindwing is dark brownish gray with small or absent discal spot. The head and thorax match the forewing in color. The male antenna is filiform. Most North American specimens are dark and nondescript, except for the light reniform spot.

The colors and forms of M. secalis are almost identical to those of the native M. fractilinea. Unless M. secalis spreads eastward, these species can be distinguished by locality since M. fractilinea is not known from farther west than south-central Idaho. Definitive diagnosis of M. secalis is best based on genitalia structure. In males of M. secalis the ampulla of the clasper is small and barely evident, whereas that of M. fractilinea is large and pronged, appearing antlerlike. Females can be distinguished by the shape of the corpus bursae. That of M. secalis is membranous, narrowly elongate, while that of M. fractilinea is bulbous. Also, posterior sternite A7 can be examined in intact specimens by removing the scales. The edge of that sternite in M. secalis is shallow and U-shaped with rounded lateral corners, while that of M. fractilinea is angular, broadly M-shaped, and has a median notch and pointed corners.

Mesapamea secalis resembles several other Apameini species in our region. Apamea unanimis is larger than M. secalis (FW 14–16 mm) and differs in having a prominent forewing black basal dash and a large ventral hindwing discal spot. Its flight season is slightly earlier in the year, during May and June, while M. secalis is most common in July and later. Apamea cogitata is also larger than M. secalis, forewing longer than 16 mm, and is more uniform rich dark red brown. Oligia tusa overlaps M. secalis in size and is similar to the dark red-brown form. The postmedial line below the reniform stigma is scalloped in O. tusa, smooth in M. secalis. Also, the forewing posterior to the claviform spot and basal to the postmedial line is darker than the rest of the wing in O. tusa, not so in M. secalis. Xylomoia indirecta resembles light forms of M. secalis but differs in having a black median dash across the fold and a black triangular mark in the postmedial area near the tornus.

Larvae

Habitat

Mesapamea secalis is found in open urban and natural environments below 550 meters.

Distribution

Pacific Northwest

This species was first found in North America in Vancouver, British Columbia and Bellingham, Washington in 2016. It has since been detected on Vancouver and Hornby islands, British Columbia, throughout western Washington, and the northern Willamette Valley, Oregon. There is a single record from east of the Cascades in Kittitas County, Washington. It will likely continue to spread farther south and east.

Global

Mesapamea secalis is widespread in Eurasia where it occurs in most of the area east of the Ural Mountains. The range extends east into Russia without reaching the Pacific Coast.

Life History

Larvae

The larvae feed on a variety of grasses, including most economically important cereal grains (wheat, rye, barley, oat, and corn).

Adults

Adults have been found during the summer in the Pacific Northwest and is most common during July and August. It is nocturnal and comes to light.

Economic Importance

This species is reported to be a pest of cereal grains in Europe, especially together with other pest species, during drought, or crop planting after clearing of pastures. It is not currently recognized as a pest in North America but has the potential to cause at least minor damage when conditions are right.

Literature

Crabo & Holden (2020)