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Digital Guide to Moth Identification

Noctuidae 931314 – 9090   Ponometia candefacta (Hübner, [1831])              Olive-shaded Bird-dropping Moth

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Larva and Host Plants: Host familiy: Asteraceae.  Host genera: Ambrosia Arctium Symphyotrichum[=Aster].  Host extended: specialist on various Asteraceae (Crabo et al 2014).  (Kimberley & Douglas 2025) Similar Species: Pinned specimens of related species. (Hint: select View by Region on the related species page.) Synonymy: candefacta (Hübner, [1831]) (Tarache) - MONA 1983: 9090 candefactella (Strand, 1916) (Tarachidia) debilis (Walker, 1858) (Acontia) haworthana (Westwood, 1851) (Micra) neomexicana (Smith, 1900) (Acontia) Taxonomic Notes: Ponometia candefacta: Formerly placed in the genus Tarachidia, ZooKeys, 39: 1-160.

References (Caution: DNA barcoding at BOLD provides evidence of relatedness, not proof of identification; some BOLD specimens shown may not be sequenced.)

Barcode of Life (BOLD) - Caution: Identifications often erroneous; DNA barcode provides evidence of relatedness, not proof of identification; many specimens not sequenced. Lafontaine, J.D. & R.W. Poole, 2010. Review of the New World genera of the subfamily Acontiinae (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae). ZooKeys, 39: 1-160. Powell, J. A. & P. A. Opler, 2009. Moths of Western North America, Pl. 50.17m; p. 280. Book Review and ordering Shropshire, K.J. & D.W. Tallamy, 2025. Lepidoptera of North America, north of Mexico: an annotated list containing geographic ranges and host-plant records. ZooKeys, 1261: 101-113; Suppl. 1. (PDF or read online) Species Page at Block Island Moths Species Page at BugGuide.Net Species Page at Mass Moths Species Page at Pacific Northwest Moths Species Page at The Noctuidae of North America by Robert W. Poole (Nearctica.com) - archived page access (go to a year prior to 2020 and select a blue circled date from the calendar). Species Page at iNaturalist Species page at Moths of North Dakota.

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