On July 14-16 Eli Weber and Tony Palmer set up lights at Neale Woods (which straddles Douglas and Washington Counties) to see what insects might be afoot. Their efforts resulted in finding six moths previously unreported from the state.
They found a Hollow-spotted Plagodis whose larvae feed on various hardwoods. This is the westernmost US record of this species.
They also found Nason’s Slug Moth which is the northwestern-most North American record for this species. Of the larval host plants listed, Hickory is the most likely utilized by larvae in our area.
Next they found a Multiform Leafroller. The next nearest record is from Illinois. Larva are reported to feed on Apple (Malus sp.) and Cherry (Prunus sp.)
The next moth is a member of a species currently undergoing a revision (the Sonia canadana complex). However no previous records of anything falling into this complex have been reported from Nebraska. BugGuide reports the species to be eastern in distribution with larvae feeding on asters.
The remaining two lack common names. The first is Dichomeris setosella. It is eastern in distribution (the next nearest records are from Missouri and Minnesota). It’s larvae reportedly feed on numerous plants of which Eupatorium (Boneset), Eutrochium (Joe-pye Weed), Verbesina (Crownbeard), Veronia (Hornbeam) are found in our area.
The last is Pubitelphusa latifasciella. It is a leaf roller whose larvae feed on oaks (Quercus sp.). Nearest records are from central Missouri or northeastern Iowa.
Six new species in a couple of evenings is a huge accomplishment. Many thanks to Tony and Eli for their efforts and sharing their results.