Alfalfa Looper
Tathorhynchus exsiccata
OWLET MOTH FAMILY (Erebidae)
The Alfalfa Looper moth has a wingspan of about 1.25 inches. The forewing is light gray with diffuse dark shading beyond the subterminal line. There is a dark gray basal dash and a dark strip between the pale reniform and orbicular spots. The reniform spot contains 2 dark dots. There is pale streaking along the veins. The hindwing is pale gray with a large dark gray patch along the distal 2/3 of the outer margin.
The frequency of occurrence in this area is not known. It was photographed at Neale Woods in early June 2016. Adults are nocturnal and visit lights. It is found in open areas where there its food plants grow. Its range is Florida to California north through central states to Canada.
The larvae eat the leaves of alfalfa, indigo and Spanish Broom (Spartium unceum). The Alfalfa Looper is one of 2 species in the genus Tathorhynchus in North America.
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