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Moths of the Lower Rio Grande Valley

Common Moths - Noctuids

A close up of a moth on a wooden surface

Divided Cobubatha (Cobubatha dividua)

Best told from similar moths by the pale "skirt" and gray-brown basal area separated by a dark band.  Recorded February - August, with records in October.

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A close up of a moth on a white wall
A black and white moth is sitting on a brick wall
Common Moths

Exposed Bird-dropping Moth (Tarache aprica)

As the far right image shows well, these black-and-white moths really do look like bird droppings!  Both sexes (male left, female center) show a small black orbicular spot on the forewing that separates it from other bird-dropping moths.  Recorded January - February, and April - November.

A green map of texas with a black outline on a white background.
A small white moth is sitting on a piece of cardboard
A brown and white moth is sitting on a brown surface
A brown and white moth is sitting on a white surface

Four-patched Bird-dropping Moth (Tarache quadriplaga)



Similar to the Exposed Bird-dropping Moth, but lacks the small black orbicular spot on the forewing.  All Tarache moths can be extremely variable, and some really can't be pinned down to species.  Recorded year-round.


A green outline of the state of texas on a white background.
A moth is sitting on a piece of wood
A moth is sitting on a brick wall.
A close up of a moth on a mirror

Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda)

Males (center) have a rusty orbicular spot and darker reniform spot connected with a white teardrop, plus a whitish apex contrasting with the darker ST area.  Females are dull brown overall with a ghost of the male's orbicular/reniform pattern, but some individuals are too worn to make out much of any pattern.  When separating armyworms from other similar noctuids in general, look for the furry "biceps"!  Recorded June - March.

A green map of texas with a black outline on a white background.
A close up of a moth on a white surface
A moth is sitting on a black mesh screen
A moth is sitting on a piece of wood.

Gray-streaked Armyworm (Spodoptera albula)

This grayish armyworm has a black streak that runs from the shoulder to the oblong, narrow orbicular spot.  The rounded reniform spot can be anything from barely visible to startlingly black.  Recorded May - March.

A drawing of the state of texas with a green border.