Dorsal Cucullia
Common NameDorsal Cucullia
Scientific NameCucullia dorsalis
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyCuculliinae
Wingspan (mm)40
Wing Patternstriped
Primary Colorsgrey, white
HabitatDry, open areas, grasslands, sandy areas, often associated with sagebrush habitats.
Geographic RangeWestern North America, including California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Texas.
Host PlantsArtemisia tridentata, Artemisia californica, Artemisia dracunculus
Flight PeriodMay to July, sometimes a second brood in August-September.
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are typically green or brown, feeding on the leaves and flowers of Artemisia species. They pupate in the soil or leaf litter, overwintering as pupae.
Identification TipsKey identification features include the pale greyish-white forewings with distinct dark longitudinal streaks, the slender body, and the characteristic 'hooded' appearance of the thorax, common to the genus Cucullia. Often rests with wings folded tightly over the body.
Description
This is a slender-bodied moth with long, narrow, pale greyish-white forewings marked with fine, dark longitudinal streaks. The head and thorax are also grey and hairy, often appearing somewhat 'hooded'.
