Subject: Ctenucha brunnea Photos
Geographic location of the bug: Laguna Beach, California
Date: 06/20/2018
Time: 03:10 AM EDT
Your letter to the bugman: Hello!
I came across your website while trying to identify the moth I saw today. I’m pretty sure it’s a Ctenucha brunnea. I only saw one photo on your site so I figured I’d pass on my photos for your use.
Thanks for the great reference site!
How you want your letter signed: Rachelle
Dear Rachelle,
Thanks so much for adding to our digital archives with your wonderful image of the Brown Ctenucha. Our only image of this species dates back to 2006. According to BugGuide, the range is “Coastal areas of central to southern California.”
I live in So Cal too. I’ve noticed that Brown Ctenuchas either have red heads and red shoulders, or orange heads and white-orangish shoulders. I’m wondering if the orangish are females. But I have seen an orangish approach a red shoulder with antennae/leg movements, definitely some sort of mating ritual which would tend toward orange = male. What can you tell me. 7-3-2021 and they are out in force this week. The above photo is an orangish type.