could use some help

[Pierre Zagatti]

It could be a black witch moth (Ascalapha odorata L., Noctuidae
Ophiderinae). I send you by attached files images
of both sexes, along with a close-up view of the forewing ocellus. If it
has a shape of "9" you may be sure of the identification. (files sent by
e-mail).

There is also an image in ' The Moths of Southeastern Arizona' by Bruce
Walsh:

http://nitro.biosci.arizona.edu/zeeb/butterflies/figs/moths/Noctuidae/Catocalinae/A_odorata.jpg

Ken Gowen wrote:

> I live in San Diego.  A very large moth was on our screen.  We
> captured it and have been trying to find its identity, but to no avail
> yet.  It has a wing span of 4-5 inches approx.  It is a dark brown
> with some purplish irredescent markings .  The size of it is what is
> most remarkable.  Anybody out there know what type it is and is it
> typical to the San Diego, California area???  Thanks.  The Gowen
> family

--
Pierre ZAGATTI
INRA Unite de Phytopharmacie et Mediateurs Chimiques
78026 Versailles Cedex
FRANCE
Tel: (33) 1 30 83 31 18
e-mail zagatti at versailles.inra.fr
http://www.jouy.inra.fr/papillon/