Pacific Northwest Moths

Identification

Adults

Escaria homogena is a small noctuid moth (FW length 11 - 13 mm) from Montana and eastern Idaho that has pale-streaked grayish-tan forewings. The forewing has a slightly pointed apex. The color is pale gray-tan to tan, with pale whitish or ochre streaks through the cell and in the fold. The anterior subterminal area and all but the apical portion of the terminal area are darker gray. The basal, antemedial, and postmedial lines are dark gray, double filled with white. The basal and antemedial lines are evident as spots on the costa but are variable elsewhere, sometimes nearly obsolete. The antemedial line is irregular and oriented perpendicular to the posterior margin when present. The median line is a gray spot on the costa. The postmedial line is irregular, drawn sharply toward the base on the costa, runs close to the reniform spot which it touches several times, and is angled slightly toward the base below the spot. The subterminal line is cream or white, mildly irregular with a strong offset below the apex and a moderately-strong W-mark to the margin on the mid-wing. The fringe is checkered dark gray and white. The orbicular spot is an oval pale smudge. The reniform spot is indistinct powdery gray, often with a few white spots along the medial end. The claviform spot is powdery black, thickest anteriorly, small, usually incomplete. The hindwing is dark gray-tan, gradually darker toward the outer margin, with a faint discal spot and thin dark gray terminal line at the base of the white fringe. The head and thorax are cream to powdery gray. A flat-topped frontal tubercle resembles a pig snout. The eye is covered with fine hairs. The male antenna is filiform with long fasciculations.

This species can be recognized by its small size, pale-streaked tan forewing with pale subterminal line with a W-mark and checkered fringe, and gray hindwing with a white fringe. It is similar in size and shape to Afotella cylindrica and Hadenella pergentilis, but differs in color since the former species is dull gray and the latter is orange-brown and gray. Escaria clauda, a Great Basin species that occurs in southern Oregon, is paler than E. homogena, has a straighter white subterminal line that lacks a significant W-mark, less prominent checkering of the fringe, and a slightly lighter hindwing. These species can be separated by locality in the Northwest.

Habitat

This species is endemic to the dry short-grass prairies of the Great Plains. The exact habitat is unknown for the Pacific Northwest.

Distribution

Pacific Northwest

Escaria homogena has been recorded from western Montana and eastern Idaho (Moth Photographers Group).

Global

This moth if found on the western Great Plains as far north as southern Alberta.

Life History

Larvae

No information is presently available regarding larval foodplants of this species.

Adults

The flight season of E. homogena is late spring and early summer. It has been collected from May to July throughout its range. It is nocturnal and comes to lights.

Economic Importance

None.

Literature

Moth Photographers Group