Alfalfa Looper Moth
Tathorhynchus exsiccata (Lederer, 1855)
Family: Erebidae
Subfamily: Erebinae
Identification: Forewing light brownish-gray with diffuse dark shading beyond subterminal line; dark basal dash and dark strip between pale reniform and orbicular spots; reniform spot contains two dark dots; pale streaking along veins, and some dark speckling along costa; PM line faint or absent; fringe dark; hindwing pale gray or tan with large dark gray patch along upper two-thirds of outer margin; fringe pale except for some dark scales bordering the dark patch
Wing Span: 2.8-3.2 cm
Life History:
Flight: June to September in the North, April to November in the south
Caterpillar Hosts: alfalfa, indigo (Indigofera spp.), and Spanish Broom (Spartium junceum)
Adult Food:
Habitat: Open areas containing the larval foodplants; adults are nocturnal and come to light
Range: Southern United States (Florida to California), north through the central states to Canada (Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan)
Conservation:
NCGR:
Management Needs:
Taxonomy Notes: Sometimes described as Tathorhynchus exsiccatus
Alternate Scientific Names:
Tathorhynchus exsiccatus
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 verified sightings
Observation date: Sep 06, 2019
Submitted by: Dwaine Wagoner
Region: Natrona County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Oct 25, 2021
Observation date: Aug 28, 2021
Submitted by: Dwaine Wagoner
Region: Natrona County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Aug 31, 2021
Observation date: Jun 27, 2019
Submitted by: Rick Welton
Region: Lake County, Indiana, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jan 12, 2020
Observation date: Sep 06, 2018
Submitted by: Quivira NWR
Region: Stafford County, Kansas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Feb 06, 2019
Observation date: Jan 26, 2018
Submitted by: jeffmci9
Region: Bastrop County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jan 30, 2018
Observation date: Jun 14, 2017
Submitted by: Jim Eckert
Region: Graham County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: Jim Eckert
Verified date: Jul 23, 2017
Observation date: Aug 08, 2016
Submitted by: Mark Wheeler
Region: Washington County, Minnesota, United States
Verified by: Tom Middagh
Verified date: Dec 24, 2016
Observation date: Sep 25, 2013
Submitted by: CA Ivy
Region: Tulsa County, Oklahoma, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Sep 27, 2013
Observation date: Oct 02, 2012
Submitted by: Stuart Marcus
Region: Texas, Liberty County, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: May 28, 2013
Observation date: Sep 18, 2012
Submitted by: Ilona L.
Region: Dane County, Wisconsin, United States
Verified by: Tom Middagh
Verified date: Apr 19, 2013
Observation date: Jul 04, 2012
Submitted by: Tom Middagh
Region: Nobles County, Minnesota, United States
Verified by: Tom Middagh
Verified date: Jul 28, 2012
Observation date: Jun 26, 2012
Submitted by: aarongunnar
Region: Dunn County, Wisconsin, United States
Verified by: Tom Middagh
Verified date: Jul 05, 2012
Observation date: May 25, 2004
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Sue Low)
Region: Jasper County, Iowa, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (James Durbin)
Verified date: Jun 09, 2008