Ottawa (Dunrobin), ON Canada

7 August 2003   12:39AM EDT

Apamea dubitans is one of about 20 species of Apamea known to occur in the Ottawa area, several of which are similar in color and markings to this species.  My thanks to Dr. J. Donald Lafontaine of Agriculture Canada for assistance with identification.

The forewing of Apamea dubitans is very dark brown, slightly paler towards the inner margin in the median and basal areas.  The antemedial and postmedial lines do not contrast with the main wing color; in the photo above, they are evident only near the inner margin, against the paler ground color.  The orbicular spot is inconspicuous, but the yellowish white of the reniform spot makes it the one readily noticeable mark on the wing.  There are also a few small whitish marks along the outer third of the costa.  The wing is darkest outside the pm line, and traces of a whitish subterminal line are usually visible, although barely discernible in this specimen.  The hindwing is dirty beige shaded with brown, with a pale fringe.

The larvae of Apamea dubitans feed on grasses (Handfield, 1999).  Handfield indicates an adult flight season from late June to mid-September for my general area.

I have photographed this species in 2001, on 10, 12, 15 and 16 August; in 2003, on 21 July, and on 7 August.