Pacific Northwest Moths

Identification

Adults

Ochropleura implecta is a small (FW length 13 - 15mm), distinctive moth with pale ochre-white costa, similar pale orbicular and reniform spots set in a black streak in the cell, a black basal dash, and a smooth, red-brown forewing ground color. The transverse lines are limited to a series of pale dots at the subterminal line. The hindwing is nearly white, with pale gray at the costal margin and a thin dark terminal line at the base of the fringe. The head and collar are yellow-brown with a thin black band on the collar. The remainder of the thorax is red-brown, like the forewing ground color, and the abdomen is yellowish gray.

This species can be identified by the combination of forewing ground color, pale costa, and pale spots contained in the black cell.

Larvae

Larva is smooth, reddish brown dorsally and green or greenish brown laterally.  It is illustrated by Lafontaine (1998).

Habitat

This species is widely distributed in moist hardwood forests throughout much of eastern North America, and in mixed hardwood-conifer forests across Canada and in the Rocky Mountain region.  In the Pacific Northwest, it is particularly abundant in coastal rainforests, and is also common in oak woodlands and mixed hardwood forests at low elevations west of the Cascades.  However, it is relatively rare in mixed hardwood-conifer forests along the west slope of the Cascades at middle elevations, and in spruce-fir forests at high elevations along the summit of the Cascades.

Distribution

Pacific Northwest

Ochropleura implecta is predominantly found in forests of western Oregon and Washington and southern British Columbia. The range extends as far south as west-central Oregon. It is uncommonly found in mesic habitats in the Columbia Basin.

Global

The range of this species includes a large part of North America, with most of the records from east of the Mississippi River and in the Northwest. The records for the East extend from southern Labrador to South Carolina and eastern Texas. The range spans the Continent through Canada's Prairie Provinces, with scattered records south in the Great Plains and Rocky Mountain States to New Mexico and eastern Arizona. It does not occur in other parts of the Southwest or in California.

Life History

Larvae

This species is a climbing-cutworm that feeds on general herbaceous vegetation in such families as the Fabaceae and Asteraceae, but it has also been reported to feed on willows (Salix spp.) in the Salicaceae.

Adults

Adults have been collected from late May through August in the Pacific Northwest but are most common in mid summer. Lafontaine (1998) states that it is at least double-brooded, likely at least partially true in our region. It is nocturnal and comes to lights.

Economic Importance

None.

Literature

Lafontaine (1998)

Moth Photographers Group