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Project Noah Nature School
Hellensia grandis
nearly 1 3/4 inch wingspan extrapolating the curled wing out straight and all over pale tan, but slightly darker than almost white the one I saw the other night, which was only about 1/2 inch across. IN all other ways(except the deformed wing) they seem identical. http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/125...
near light in conifer/hardwood mixed forest
Growing up in S California, I have always been enthralled by these slightly alien looking moths. This is probably the third I've seen since moving to Oregon 20+ years ago. In researching this moth, it seems the northernmost cluster was reported in Kern County, Ca. Given the amount of Coyote bush that grows here, it isn't surprising to see they have moved North
Sounds right. I'm slightly familiar with these large Hellinsia species because Hellinsia balanotes, the species found in the south-east of the US, has been introduced into Australia in an attempt to control Baccharis halimifolia. Clearly the caterpillar of a moth this size will do some harm to the hostplant, although it would take large numbers to do serious damage.
By color and range grandis, which only is shown into kern county. But given its food plant Baccilis piliaris, which is rampant here, that seems logical
One of the really big Hellinsia species, like Hellinsia grandis or Hellinsia balanotes. Not clear which of these species extends into Oregon.
Plume moths are found in temperate as well as tropical/subtropical regions.
Spotted on Jul 30, 2012
Submitted on Jul 30, 2012
