About Aseptis marina (Grote, 1874)
Viridiseptis is a monotypic moth genus in the family Noctuidae, erected by Tomas Mustelin and Lars G. Crabo in 2015. Its only species, Viridiseptis marina (originally published as Aseptis marina by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1874), was first described by Grote in 1874. This species is found across coastal California and southwestern Oregon, ranging north to Douglas County, and is widely distributed across southern California. It occurs in a variety of habitats including coastal chaparral, mountain forest, and mountain-desert transition zones, and can occasionally be found in deserts, at elevations from sea level to at least 2000 meters. The wingspan of this moth measures roughly 29.5 to 35 mm. Its forewings are a granular mossy green, occasionally yellowish green, with a mottled pattern of dark-gray to black and light green that obscures all but the darkest sections of the wing's lines and spots. The darkest areas of the forewing are a small patch at the base of the trailing edge, the cell and fold in the medial area, a bar on the costa preceding the subterminal line, and the terminal area opposite the reniform spot. The relatively small reniform spot and round orbicular spot are filled with peripheral whitish scales and central green scales. The basal, antemedial, and postmedial lines are double, black with green filling, while the subterminal line is green. All lines are sinuous and appear incomplete. The hindwings are light brownish gray with a darker border. Adult moths are on wing from April to early July. The larvae feed on species of Nemophila, Lilja, Lithophragma, and Pholistoma auritium.
