Plagiomimicus dimidiata (Grote)

Antaplaga dimidiata Grote, 1877, Canad. Ent., 9:71.

Diagnosis: Plagiomimicus dimidiata is another highly distinctive species and is unlikely to be confused with any other North American noctuid. The forewing base is silvery white and the outer two-thirds from the median line to the outer margin is greenish bronze. The postmedial line is represented by a diffuse, white shade. There is a vague, small, triangular olive green apical triangle. The male genitalia are like those of ovello. However the distal part of the clasper is strongly hooked. The ovipositor lobes of dimidiata are uniform in size from base to apex and lack the greatly expanded bases of ovello. Wing length from base to apex: mean = 14.02 mm., standard deviation = 0.94 mm., n = 10.

Distribution: Plagiomimicus dimidiata has a wide distribution in western North America. It has been collected in southwestern Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, most of Arizona (except for the Mohave Desert region of the western part of the state), and at scattered localities in Utah. The northern boundary of its known range is the Grand Teton region of western Wyoming. The species has also been collected in Chihuahua in northern Mexico. The strength of the orbicular and reniform marks in the forewing varies a little, but not greatly so.

Adults have been collected in September and October.

Identification Quality: Excellent

Larva: Unknown

Foodplants: Unknown

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