Plusias & Loopers
What are they?
The Plusias form a subfamily within the Noctuidae and are moths with distinctly tent-folded wings at rest. Many have a scintillant patch in the center of the forewing. Some are called loopers from the behavior of the larvae, though this is a non-discriminate name that is used in several unrelated groups of moths. The larvae of many species feed on low herbaceous plants and can become pests of crop plants (which is often reflected in their English names). Several species can be seen flying and feeding at flowers during daylight.
Identification
Identification is mostly straightforward, though some worn specimens can be difficult if precise wing markings are easily visible.
08890 Soybean Looper Chrysodeixis includens
Length: 14-20mm. Flight Time: April-November. Larval Food: A wide range of herbaceous plants.
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08898 Unspotted Looper Allagrapha aerea
Length: 16-22mm. Flight Time: April-September. Larval Food: A wide range of herbaceous plants.
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08907 Bilobed Looper Megalographa biloba
Length: 19-20mm. Flight Time: March-November. Larval Food: A wide range of herbaceous plants.
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08908 Common Looper Autographa precationis
Length: 18-20mm. Flight Time: April-October. Larval Food: A wide range of herbaceous plants.
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08924 Celery Looper Anagrapha falcifera
Length: 16-20mm. Flight Time: March-November. Larval Food: A wide range of herbaceous plants.
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