Two Spotted Looper Moth, Twin Gold Spot

A common, widespread moth. No concerns.

Adults have been collected in Alberta in from mid-July through August.

Newfoundland west, almost to the British Columbia coast, north to the Northwest Territories and south to New Mexico in the west and Pennsylvania and Long Island in the east. In Alberta, it can be found throughout the wooded areas, from Lake Athabasca south to the valleys of the Grasslands region.

A medium-size moth (3.7-4.0 cm wingspan). The forewings are dark rust or pink-brown and tan, the central area and a broad subterminal band darker than the rest and the central area in particular largely metallic. Lower portions of the antemedian and postmedian lines are usually marked by metallic silver scales. There is a large, two part (but often joined) bright silver-gold stigma in the center of the forewing, as well as a small silver spot just inside the base of the reniform spot. The inner part of the stigma is shaped like a G, while the outer part is oval, both infilled. Hindwings are sooty brown, shading into a wide dark terminal band. The antennae are simple and the sexes are similar. Overall, similar in appearance to A. metallica, which occurs in the southern mountains of Alberta. Metallica is usually darker brown and has a one part teardrop-shaped stigma.

Open woodland, clearings and edges, hay meadows, etc.

Adults are nocturnal and come to light. There is a single brood each year.

No Alberta data. Elsewhere, dandelion (Taraxicum sp.) is listed as a larval host, and it has been reared in the lab on plantain (Plantago) and stinging nettle (Urtica dioica). Probably a general feeder on herbaceous plants as are most members of the genus.

Autographa bimaculata, the two-spotted looper moth, twin gold spot or double-spotted spangle, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by James Francis Stephens in 1830. It is found in North America from Newfoundland west, just short of the coast of British Columbia, north to the Northwest Territories and south to New Mexico in the west and Pennsylvania and Long Island in the east.

The wingspan is 37–40 mm. Adults are on wing from July to August depending on the location. There is one generation per year.

The larvae feed on Taraxacum, but also accept Plantago and Urtica dioica.