stray Palaearctic noctuid?

[James Kruse]

Greetings:

I have a good picture of a large, colorful, and probably a strong flying
noctuid that was caught, photographed and released (to my extreme dismay) on
Buldir Island in the western Aleutians. I suspect it is a stray from the
Oriental subregion of the Palaearctic, but I don't know for sure. I have
seen similar species in Japan when I was there.

It looks like Catocalinae, but not a Catocala spp. The forewings strongly
resemble dead leaves, including the main leaf vein leading out to the
produced apex. The hind wings are yellow with black stripes. The wingspread
looks to be over 3 inches, maybe closer to 4 (wings reach across a woman's
hand). It looks rather distinctive to me. If someone would like to take a
look at this thing I can send the picture.

Regards,

James J. Kruse, Ph.D.
Curator of Entomology
University of Alaska Museum
907 Yukon Drive
Fairbanks, AK, USA 99775-6960
tel 907.474.5579
fax 907.474.1987
http://www.uaf.edu/museum/ento



 
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