Plusia venusta Walker 1865

A widespread but rather uncommon species; no obvious concerns.

Adults have been collected in Alberta from late June through July.

From Newfoundland, west to the lower mainland of British Columbia, south to the northern States, west to Montana, and north to the Northwest Territories. In Alberta, it has been collected from the river valleys of the arid Grasslands region (Lethbridge and Dinosaur Provincial Park) north across the Aspen Parkland and Boreal Forest regions to the north shore of Lake Athabasca and Zama and in the foothills at Nordegg.

A medium-size tan and red-brown moth. Forewings have a unique pattern, with the leading third tan separated from the dark red-brown lower two-thirds by a silver white streak on the outer half. The dark lower area is divided by a narrow horizontal silver streak. Hindwings are pale brown, antennae are simple and both the sexes are similar. This elegant moth is unlike any others in Alberta.

Wet meadows and grassy wetland edges usually associated with woodlands.

Adults are nocturnal and come to light. There is a single brood each year. The host plant and larvae are unknown.