Moths of Oklahoma's Journal

Well that was rough! I hope we don't have another arctic blast like that for another hundred years.

It's starting to warm up now and moths are appearing at porch lights. I hope you all are keeping your eyes peeled. There should be some early spring moths out and about that won't be seen later in the year. Spring Cankerworm is a common one this time of year. I've also seen some observations coming in for Fawn Sallow (Psaphida styracis), like this one from Mark Parker.

A new iNat user in Arkansas, @cloakedmarvel, has started uploading their observations from the past several years and there are some observations in eastern Oklahoma, including new species for our project. Check out this Oak Besma Moth (Besma quercivoraria).

Also, Anna Bennett has uploaded some observations from last year that are new for our state project.

Major Sallow (Feralia major)

Withered Mocis (Mocis marcida) - This species is very similar to the more common (in Oklahoma) Texas Mocis, but the PM line of this species does not extend to the center margin.

I look forward to seeing your observations this spring!

Moth season is definitely here! We've held two moth nights in central Oklahoma. I have personally added 17 new species I had not seen before, and our state project tally has increased by 8 species. There is a lot of potential for adding new species to our count early in the spring and late in the fall, due to fewer observations during these time periods.

Here are a few of the new additions:

Gray Sallow (Psaphida grandis) found by Mark Parker on March 5 and 6.

Lemmer's Pinion (Lithophane lemmeri) found by Rick Parker, Leah Nelson, and me on March 21, photographed here by Leah.

Double-banded Zale (Zale calycanthata) found by Rick Park, Leah Nelson, and me on March 21, photographed here by Rick.

Straight-toothed Sallow (Eupsilia vinulenta) found by Rick Parker, Leah Nelson, and me on March 21, photographed here by Leah.

Red-winged Sallow (Xystopeplus rufago) found by Rick Parker, Leah Nelson, and me on March 8, photographed here by me.

Pseudexentera haracana found by me on March 20 and 21.

The Tortricid genus Pseudexentera consists of a huge number of species, many of which are quite hard to tell apart. I have quite a few observations that are sitting at genus level, awaiting some identification help from a Tortricidae expert.

Keep up the observations, everyone!