Abagrotis brunneipennis

4. Abagrotis brunneipennis (Grote)

(Figs. 33–34, Map 22)

Identification: Forewing length 14.0–17.0 mm. Abagrotis brunneipennis is similar to A. cupida (Grote) and the two frequently are confused in collections. Forewing ground color is dark reddish brown in A. brunneipennis and pale reddish brown to grayish brown in A. cupida. The overall forewing pattern is faint to virtually absent in A. brunneipennis; the pattern in A. cupida is more distinct. Orbicular and reniform spots are only slightly darker and faint in A. brunneipennis and are slightly to much darker in A. cupida. The cluster of black scales at the apex of the subterminal line on the costa is faint or absent in A. brunneipennis but prominent in most specimens of A. cupida. Hindwing is dark gray in A. brunneipennis and gray to dark gray in A. cupida. The overall look of A. brunneipennis has a shiny greasy sheen to the wings; in A. cupida the wings are dull.

Flight period: June to July.

Collected localities: Tennessee: Cocke Co., Foothills Parkway south overlook. (2 specimens)

Elevation range: 1860 ft. (567 m)

General distribution: This species is widely distributed, but is most common in northeastern North America. It has been found from Newfoundland south to North Carolina, west through Pennsylvania and Michigan to North Dakota. There are scattered records in Manitoba, South Dakota, Colorado, Utah, British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon (Lafontaine 1998).

Larval hosts: Blueberry (Vaccinium sp., Ericaceae).

MAP 22. Collecting localities of Abagrotis brunneipennis.