« Back to your search
Species Details
Syngrapha alticola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameAlticola Looper Moth
SeasonalityAdults have been collected in Alberta in late July and early August.
IdentificationA fairly small (2.6-2.7 cm wingspan) moth with blackish-brown forewings and bright yellow hindwings. Forewings are dark chocolate or black-brown, paler along the postmedian line and in the anal angle. The stigma is an oblique elongated curved silver spot. Hindwings are bright yellow-orange, with a prominent black terminal band. The antennae are simple and both sexes are alike. It can be separated from the very similar S. ignea by its smaller size, the darker forewings, shorter stigma, more zigzag subterminal line and the lack of sclerotized setae on the foretibia. They can also be separated by genitalic characters. The other small yellow-winged Syngrapha species are restricted to lower elevations than alticola frequents.
Scientific Name
Syngrapha alticola
Common Name
Alticola Looper Moth
Habitat
Alpine and arctic tundra.
Seasonality
Adults have been collected in Alberta in late July and early August.
Identification
A fairly small (2.6-2.7 cm wingspan) moth with blackish-brown forewings and bright yellow hindwings. Forewings are dark chocolate or black-brown, paler along the postmedian line and in the anal angle. The stigma is…
A fairly small (2.6-2.7 cm wingspan) moth with blackish-brown forewings and bright yellow hindwings. Forewings are dark chocolate or black-brown, paler along the postmedian line and in the anal angle. The stigma is an oblique elongated curved silver spot. Hindwings are bright yellow-orange, with a prominent black terminal band. The antennae are simple and both sexes are alike. It can be separated from the very similar S. ignea by its smaller size, the darker forewings, shorter stigma, more zigzag subterminal line and the lack of sclerotized setae on the foretibia. They can also be separated by genitalic characters. The other small yellow-winged Syngrapha species are restricted to lower elevations than alticola frequents.
Life History
The adults are diurnal.
Conservation
A widespread species with secure habitat; no concerns.
Diet Info
Unknown.
Range
Across the Arctic, above the treeline from Newfoundland to Alaska; south in the mountains to central California and Colorado. In Alberta, it occurs in the mountains,
Citation
Page Citation for Syngrapha alticola
Page Citation
"Species Details - Syngrapha alticola, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-1137/9-244109. Accessed 11 Jan. 2025.
References
Author
Lafontaine, J. Donald and Robert W. Poole
Title
Noctuoidea : Noctuidae (part) : Plusiinae
Publication Date
1995
Pages
182
Author
Eichlin, Thomas D. and Hugh B. Cunningham
Title
The Plusiinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) of America north of Mexico, emphasizing genitalic and larval morphology.
Publication Date
1978
Pages
122
Specimen Information
There are 33 specimens of this Species.
UASM13655 - Syngrapha alticola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Banff National Park, Moraine Lake
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1928-08-03
UASM13657 - Syngrapha alticola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1924-07-18
UASM13659 - Syngrapha alticola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1919-07-15
UASM13663 - Syngrapha alticola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1922-07-24
UASM13664 - Syngrapha alticola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1939-07-10
UASM13666 - Syngrapha alticola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1934-07-26
UASM13671 - Syngrapha alticola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1940-07-15
UASM13672 - Syngrapha alticola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1923-07-28
UASM13674 - Syngrapha alticola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1919-07-15
UASM13689 - Syngrapha alticola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1922-07-23
UASM13693 - Syngrapha alticola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1926-07-17
UASM13697 - Syngrapha alticola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1922-07-23
BIRD6658 - Syngrapha alticola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Limestone Mountain
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2002-07-29
BIRD6659 - Syngrapha alticola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Limestone Mountain
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2002-07-29
BIRD6660 - Syngrapha alticola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Limestone Mountain
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2002-07-29
BIRD6661 - Syngrapha alticola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Limestone Mountain
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2002-07-29
UASM163899 - Syngrapha alticola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Yukon Territory, Woodside River
Collected ByRomeyn, R.
Date Collected1998-07-08
UASM163900 - Syngrapha alticola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Yukon Territory, Woodside River
Collected ByRomeyn, R.
Date Collected1998-07-08
UASM163901 - Syngrapha alticola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Kananaskis Country, Hailstone Butte
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected1990-07-14
UASM163902 - Syngrapha alticola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Jumpingpound Mountain
Collected BySchmidt, B. C.
Date Collected2001-07-25
UASM163903 - Syngrapha alticola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Pink Mountain
Collected BySperling, F.
Date Collected1998-07-03