Scotogramma stretchii H. Edwards, 1887
93-2850
WA : Grant Co.
Wanapum Dam, 1.5 mi. NNE, 1054 ft
46.9, -119.9
April 26, 1992, L. G. Crabo.
Specimen courtesy of LGCC
Photograph copyright: Merrill A. Peterson
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Similar Species
Anarta columbica 
Scotogramma fervida 
Scotogramma harnardi "species-data"
species-data
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Identification
Adults
Scotogramma stretchii is a small (FW length 13 - 14 mm), powdery, gray-brown noctuid moth that flies in sage steppe habitats during the spring. Its forewing has a busy pattern that lacks dominant features and a slightly pointed shape but appears short nonetheless. The ground color is powdery, medium-dark, gray-brown, slightly darker and grayer near the outer margin. The basal, antemedial, and postmedial lines are gray, double, and filled with slightly lighter brown. The basal and antemedial lines are similar, irregular, and transverse across the wing. The postmedial line is dentate, but faint. The pale subterminal line is also irregular. It is usually preceded by thin dark chevrons that span the width of the subterminal area opposite the cell. The terminal line is a series of gray triangles between the veins. The fringe is weakly checkered brown and gray. The forewing spots are indistinct; only the gray filling of the reniform spot is evident in most specimens. The hindwing is gray-brown with darker gray toward the margin, discal spot, and scalloped postmedial line. The hindwing fringe is two-toned gray-brown. The head and thorax are uniform gray-brown, matching the forewing. The eye is covered with fine hairs. The male antenna is filiform.
This species can usually be identified correctly despite its drab appearance due to its small size and early flight season. It could potentially be confused with Anarta columbica, but this species has a more distinct black-rimmed forewing spots and is larger with less acute wing-shape. Similarly, Scotogramma fervida, a species that flies in southeastern Oregon in the spring, has a large gray-filled reniform spot that S. stretchii lacks.
Habitat
This species is widely distributed on very dry sagebrush steppe at low elevations in the Columbia Basin and Great Basin regions east of the Cascades. It is usually sporadic, uncommon or rare in most areas.
Distribution
Pacific Northwest
Scotogramma stretchii is found in the dry interior steppe regions of the Pacific Northwest. It is most common near the Columbia River in the Columbia Basin. It has also been collected in eastern Oregon and in the Snake River Plain of southern Idaho.
Global
The range of this species is poorly known to us outside of the Northwest. It has been collected near Lee Vining in eastern California.
Life History
Larvae
No information is presently available regarding larval foodplants of this species, but it probably feeds on herbaceous vegetation based upon related species.
Adults
This species is single brooded and the adults fly in the early spring. They have been collected from late March until mid-June, but are most common in April and May. They are nocturnal and come to lights.
Economic Importance
None.
