Master Naturalist Colin Croft regularly sets up lights and bait at night in the Wildcat Hills to see what insects he might attract. On July 21 a Joined Underwing was attracted to his bait. Larvae of this species feed on cottonwoods and willows and while it is widespread across the state its habitat becomes scarcer the farther west one travels. So definitely a good find for western Nebraska.
The next night he attracted a Pink-spotted Hawkmoth to his lights. This uncommon stray from more southerly climes has been found in only 13 Nebraska counties, all but Colin’s from the eastern half of the state.
Thank you Colin – great job!