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Nutmeg (moth)

Anarta trifolii

Description:

Adult Nutmeg moth's have a wingspan of 31-35 mm. The front wings are yellowish brown, and heavily marked with darker and lighter spots. The hind wings are grayish basally with a diffuse darker brown band distally or farthest from point of attachment . Wing pattern and color are cryptically or difficult to describe. The Nutmeg moth's coloured forewings (front wings) are in a varying shade of light to dark brown, sometimes with a reddish tinge. The most characteristic feature is a distinctively "W"-shaped, white subterminal (third line). Nutmeg moth is also known as "common name: Clover cutworm (moth)".

Habitat:

Nutmeg moth occurs throughout the United States except for the southeastern states. It also occurs throughout southern Canada and in Alaska. Apparently it is a native species, though it is also reported to occur in Europe and Asia. Nutmeg moth inhabits waste ground, agricultural land and a range of other habitats feeding on sugar and nectar-rich flowers. Not able to survive cold winters. Nutmeg moth species flies at night and is attracted to light.

Notes:

This Nutmeg moth was in the tall mixed clover and seed grasses near the edge of the forest. Also an Apple tree and Blackberry vines are in close proximity to where this Nutmeg moth was found. It was daylight. This Moth had a slightly green appearance. This moth was a delightful and unexpected find, as it was daylight. Some further reading about Nutmeg moth's suggest the Green tinge color I noticed fades away or may not be an observable trait in this species.

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Hoquiam, Washington, USA

Spotted on Jul 26, 2012
Submitted on Jul 27, 2012

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