Species Details

Anagrapha falcifera

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »

Common NameCelery Looper SeasonalityAdults have been collected in Alberta from mid-May through early September. IdentificationA medium-size (3.5-4.0 cm wingspan) moth with two color-forms, dark-brown or grey. The grey form, most common early in the season, is light grey with little mottling, shading to dark brown in the lower half of the forewing, between the antemedian and postmedian lines and in a band from the apex to the outer lower margin. The brown form is dark red-brown over most of the forewing except for a paler grey brown area at the wing base and along the outer margin. Stigma is a curved silver bar, rounded on the outer end, with a short spur on the upper arm. The lower arm continues as the lower half of the antemedian line. Hindwings in both forms are light red-brown, with a distinct narrow postmedian band and shading to a wide dark terminal band. The antennae are simple and boht the sexes are alike.

Scientific Name Anagrapha falcifera Common Name Celery Looper Habitat Open areas, including roadsides, meadows, pastures, gardens, cropland, bogs etc. Seasonality Adults have been collected in Alberta from mid-May through early September. Identification
A medium-size (3.5-4.0 cm wingspan) moth with two color-forms, dark-brown or grey. The grey form, most common early in the season, is light grey with little mottling, shading to dark brown in the lower half of the…
A medium-size (3.5-4.0 cm wingspan) moth with two color-forms, dark-brown or grey. The grey form, most common early in the season, is light grey with little mottling, shading to dark brown in the lower half of the forewing, between the antemedian and postmedian lines and in a band from the apex to the outer lower margin. The brown form is dark red-brown over most of the forewing except for a paler grey brown area at the wing base and along the outer margin. Stigma is a curved silver bar, rounded on the outer end, with a short spur on the upper arm. The lower arm continues as the lower half of the antemedian line. Hindwings in both forms are light red-brown, with a distinct narrow postmedian band and shading to a wide dark terminal band. The antennae are simple and boht the sexes are alike.
Life History The adults are active during both day and at night, and are attracted to light. Conservation A common, widespread species; no concerns. Diet Info
No Alberta data. Elsewhere the larvae are known to feed on a wide variety of herbaceous plants as well as a few shrubs. In some areas south and east of Alberta, it is a serious pest on cultivated crops such as…
No Alberta data. Elsewhere the larvae are known to feed on a wide variety of herbaceous plants as well as a few shrubs. In some areas south and east of Alberta, it is a serious pest on cultivated crops such as beets, celery, corn, lettuce, cabbage, carrots and blueberry. Reported non-cultivated hosts include plantain, clover, and Viburnum.
Range
Newfoundland and Labrador west across southern Canada to central British Columbia, south to northern California, Arizona and Texas. It has been found throughout the southern half of Alberta, north in the cultivated…
Newfoundland and Labrador west across southern Canada to central British Columbia, south to northern California, Arizona and Texas. It has been found throughout the southern half of Alberta, north in the cultivated parts of the southern Boreal forest and Foothills regions to the Nordegg, Edmonton and Ashmont areas.

Citation

Page Citation for Anagrapha falcifera

Page Citation

"Species Details - Anagrapha falcifera, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-1121. Accessed 25 Mar. 2023.

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom Animalia Phylum Arthropoda Class Hexapoda Subclass Insecta Order Lepidoptera Suborder Ditrysia Superfamily Noctuoidea Family Noctuidae Subfamily Plusiinae Genus Anagrapha Species Anagrapha falcifera
This hierarchy is created from our museum records, it may not always accurately reflect modern taxonomies.

Taxonomic Hierarchy for University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum