Syngrapha surena

The silvery stigma pattern on dark forewings distinguishes this species from many noctuids, though positive identification requires comparison with congeners in the genus Syngrapha. S. surena may be separated from the more common Syngrapha epigaea (Epigaea Looper) and Syngrapha octoscripta by subtle differences in stigma shape and forewing pattern intensity. Genitalia dissection is likely necessary for definitive identification given the similarity among Plusiinae species. The common name 'Surena Looper Moth' reflects its placement in the looper moth group.

Adults have forewings with a characteristic looper moth pattern: a dark brown to blackish ground color with a prominent silvery or white stigma (kidney-shaped or figure-eight mark) near the center of the wing. The hindwings are typically paler, often grayish or brownish with darker margins. The body is relatively stout with a furry thorax. Wingspan appears moderate for the genus, though exact measurements are not well documented in accessible sources.

Recorded from North America; specific range details are poorly documented due to limited collection and observation records. The species appears to occur in northern or montane regions based on related Syngrapha species distributions, though this inference requires verification.

• Syngrapha epigaeaSimilar dark forewing ground color with silvery stigma; distinguished by subtle pattern differences and geographic distribution
• Syngrapha octoscriptaOverlapping size range and general wing pattern; requires examination of stigma shape and hindwing coloration for separation

• moth
• noctuid
• looper
• North America
• Plusiinae
• rarely recorded

• BugGuide
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life