Photedes didonea Smith 1894

A western species, found from extreme southern Alberta south and west at least to Utah Oregon and California. In Alberta (and Canada) it is known only from the Lethbridge and Writing-on-stone areas.

A medium-size moth (approx 3 cm wingspan) with brown forewings and light grey-brown hindwings. The forewings are grey-brown with lighter red-brown in a more or less longitudinal pattern. The most prominent markings are the white strip forming the lower end of the postmedian line, and the narrow blackish streak in the fold between the antemedian and postmedian lines. The forewing fringe is checkered with white at the veins. The antennae are simple and the sexes are alike. A number of Apamea species share a similar color and pattern but are larger and more robust moths.

Native grassland in the arid grasslands region.

Almost nothing is known. The adults are nocturnal and come to light. There is a single annual brood, which flies in Alberta in late summer and early fall (August 25-September 7). Bowman (in error?) states it flies in July. The larval hosts are unknown.