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Sucking up to Lavender!

 

Sucking up nectar. There aren't a lot of desireable blossoms at this time of year and these flowers have a great many Alfalfa Loopers flapping around. These moths seem so busy as they hurry about their business, flitting too and fro, rarely settling on any blossom for more than a moment or two. The average wing span is a little over an inch to an inch and a half, colored gray (forewings) with a silvery mark near the middle that is partially surrounded with dark brown to make a very distinct pattern. The hind wings are more dull gray to tan or brown, making a darker color toward the outer margin and lighter toward the base. The body is a color that closely resembles the lighter section of the hind wings and also has dark brown highlights giving the body and forward wings a camouflaged look. These moths fly late summer to early fall in crop fields and open areas in the western part of USA, Southern Saskatchewan, and British Columbia.

These moths are members of a large, widespread genus in North America. Most adults are recognized by the silvery, autograph, on the forewings. The caterpillars move in a looping gait and are sometimes responsible for doing serious crop damage.

Autographa Californica - Alfalfa Looper - A thirsty moth drinking nectar from a Lavendula Angustifolia (Common Lavender) at the entrance to Campbell Road, Highway 97, Westbank BC - October 19, 2009.

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