Hi, we have forwarded your excellent insect picture on to the Oregon State University ID clinic. As soon as we hear back from them, we'll post a response. Thanks for your patience.

Lisa DeBruyckere
June 8, 2008, 6:54 a.m.

The Oregon State University Insect Clinic has identified your specimen as "A Noctuid Moth commonly known as a Yellow or Orange Underwing (genus Noctua). There a 2 exotics in this genus that are known to be established in the PNW. Noctua pronuba European cutworm moth first collected in Oregon in 2002 (http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/PLANT/plant_ann_rep05_ippm.shtml). Also see http://www.invasive.org/browse/subject.cfm?sub=9362. The other species is Noctua comes (see http://www.goodbugs.prosser.wsu.edu/grapes.htm) and is also from Europe and has been known to be in Oregon for 3+ years."

Lisa DeBruyckere
June 17, 2008, 3:47 a.m.