Looperama...

Again, few moths in the trap, in fact only five - though representing five species, including three new for the yard trap for the year. The above moth is Anagrapha falcifera, the Celery Looper Moth. This is a very common species in Ontario and is the looper most likely to be seen in the daytime. One often kicks them out of the grass whilst looking for other insects. Is pretty distinctive with nothing really similar in our region. My UK readers will notice a certain resemblance to Dewick's Plusia though.


Another looper, this time Autographa precationalis, the Common Looper Moth. Another very common looper in Ontario though this one is more strictly nocturnal. It is a highly variable moth. The background color of the forewing varies from bronzy-brown to violet-gray and the metallic silver stigma can be fused (as here) or in two parts. The larvae are generalists on a wide variety of plants.


Finally we have Achatia distincta, the Distinct Quaker. Nice-looking moth, pretty common but I don't catch it every spring in the back yard. The black bar in the inner median part of the forewing is a good clue to its identity. An early-flying species it is usually over and done with by late May. The larvae feed on flowering crabapple, maples and red oak.

Otherwise there was a Diamondback Moth and a rather tatty Norman's Quaker looking distinctly worse for wear...