Thank you for your report! Yes, you are probably right that this is Noctua pronuba. The caterpillars are called "Winter cutworm" and they are active right now. Most of them have 2 lines of dark dashes down their backs, which I can't see in your photo because of the angle. They can feed on an enormous variety of plants and sometimes cause noticeable damage. This invasive is here to stay in the Willamette Valley. Please consult OSU extension for control options if needed.

Tom Valente
Dec. 22, 2025, 8:40 a.m.