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Spodoptera ornithogalli
Brown and gray moth with patterned wings. The "worm" can be seen at: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/686...
Outside wall under porch light in backyard.
"Few people realize that the voracious hornworm, looper and armyworm caterpillars that defoliate desert wildflowers, crop plants and garden vegetables, eventually become nectar-feeding adult moths that render important pollination services to many of the same plants. Moth pollination is more prevalent in the Southwest than in other regions of North America, largely due to warm evenings, favorable climate, and proximity to the moth-rich canyons and thorn- scrub of northern Mexico. " - DesertMuseum.org
You got it! I agree the others are close but they haven't been reported in Cali... yet. There seems to be a bit of variation in the markings in this species. Thank you again!
I thought this would be an easy one ;-)... Absolutely not!! I am still not 100% sure it is Ornithogalli (OK, almost...), but there are many valuable candidtes as well, so you have to verify yourself!
Best shot: http://bugguide.net/node/view/588747/bgi...
http://bugguide.net/node/view/620251/bgi...
http://bugguide.net/node/view/546026/bgi...
http://bugguide.net/node/view/446367/bgi...
http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.ed...
The other ones from the same genus Spodoptera:
Frugiperda:
http://bugguide.net/node/view/607909/bgi...
http://bugguide.net/node/view/511166/bgp...
http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.ed...
Latifascia:
http://bugguide.net/node/view/581232/bgi...
http://bugguide.net/node/view/468802/bgi...