Noctua pronuba in USA

[Eric or Pat Metzler]

Gary Anweiler correctly stated that the subject is well treated in the
newest fascicle of the Moths of America north of Mexico, 1998, by J.D.
Lafontaine.  Excellent illustrations and text.  Several other papers
have discussed this species subsequent to its discovery in North
America.

Cheers,

Eric Metzler
Columbus OH

NJMoth at the.light wrote:
> 
> In response to Jonathan (I am also Jonathan!) and any others out there
> with questions about this species: It is an introduced Old World
> (Palearctic) species, which was purportedly first introduced in Canada
> about 1994 or so, and has since been spreading throughout Eastern
> North America. In the US, it has been recorded from most of the
> Eastern Seaboard through New England, New York, New Jersey (I hold the
> first record of this species from NJ; it is now common here) and south
> to at least Delaware, and west to at least Pennsylvania and Ohio. This
> species is spreading at an incredibly fast rate, and unfortunately has
> pest potential; in Britain and other parts of Europe it is a pest on
> cultivated vegetable crops. It is also a prolific breeder and rather
> "aggressive" as evidenced by its rapid dispersal and colonization, and
> therefore I am concerned may threaten the stability of native species'
> populations. Further information and photos will be posted on my site,
> when that becomes ready for public viewing. No American/Canadian
> literature that I am aware of concerning Noctuidae or moths in general
> treats this species; it is too new of a phenomenon.