Autographa californica, the alfalfa looper, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Adolph Speyer in 1875. It is found in western North America from southern British Columbia to Baja California and to Manitoba, South Dakota, Colorado and New Mexico.
| Autographa californica | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Superfamily: | Noctuoidea |
| Family: | Noctuidae |
| Genus: | Autographa |
| Species: | A. californica
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| Binomial name | |
| Autographa californica (Speyer, 1875)
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The wingspan is 36–42 mm. The moth flies from July to October depending on the location.
The larvae feed on a wide range of plants. Recorded food plants include species of families Apiaceae, Aquifoliaceae, Asteraceae, Boraginaceae, Brassicaceae, Caprifoliaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Ericaceae, Eschscholzia, Fabaceae, Grossulariaceae, Liliaceae, Lamiaceae, Linaceae, Malvaceae, Plantaginaceae, Poaceae, Podocarpaceae, Polygonaceae, Rhamnaceae, Rosaceae, Rutaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Solanaceae and Verbenaceae.
External links
edit- Anweiler, G. G. & Robinson, E. "Species Details Autographa californica". University of Alberta Museums. E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
- Savela, Markku, ed. (August 29, 2020). "Autographa californica (Speyer, 1875)". Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
- Lotts, Kelly & Naberhaus, Thomas (2017). "Autographa californica (Speyer, 1875)". Butterflies and Moths of North America. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
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