Agrotis obliqua Smith 1903

Agrotis obliqua is a widespread moth, found from Newfoundland to Vancouver Island, and from Churchill to southern Arizona.

A medium size moth (forewing length about 35 mm) with dark blackish brown or reddish brown forewings crossed by darker antemedian and postmedian lines. The hindwings are dark brown. It can be separated from the very similar A. vancouverensis by the elongate hollow basal dash and claviform streak filled with brown scales (black filled in vancouverensis). It is also similar to and difficult to separate from Agrotis volubilis. Males of volubilis have pale whitish wings while those of obliqua are dark. Many specimens of vancouverensis and obliqua are difficult to separate, and are frequently found misidentified in collections

In Alberta is most common in the wooded parts of the parklands and foothills, but also can be found throughout the boreal forest and in wooded valleys in the grasslands region.

Although this is not an uncommon moth, the life history is poorly known. The immature stages and host plants are unknown. There is a single annual brood with adults in the spring and early summer.