Pronoctua peabodyae Dyar

A western moth, found from southeastern Alberta and the Black Hills of South Dakota west to southeastern BC and eastern Oregon, south to New Mexico and Arizona. In Alberta peabodyae has been collected at low to mid (1300-1500m) elevations in dry open woodland in the mountains, north to Nordegg. It or a closely related undescribed species also occurs in the badlands of the Red Deer River.

A medium-size dull yellow-brown and grey-brown moth (3.5-4.2 cm wingspan). The pale cross-lines and spots do not contrast strongly with the darker ground. The hindwings are uniform grey-brown. Pronoctua species have an odd silky "sheen" (shared with Protoperigea species) that is hard to describe but once seen makes them fairly easy to recognize. Pronoctua peabodyae has darker hindwings and is darker and more contrasting than P. typica. The clasper of the male genitalia of P. peabodyae is very different from that of P. typica and Protoperigea species. See also the comments below re prairie versus mountain populations of peabodyae.

dry open woodland in the mountains

Poorly known. P. peabodyae is single-brooded, with adults in Alberta in late summer (July 31– Aug. 16 in the mountains; Aug. 11-22 in the badlands). The adults come to light. Lafontaine (1998) summarizes the larval description by Crumb (1956). The larval host(s) are apparently unknown, although the larva described by Crumb was reared on clover.