University of Alberta Museums Search

A medium-size moth (3.9-4.0 cm wingspan) with ash-grey forewings and yellow-brown hindwings. Forewings are smooth, ash-grey except for the posterior half between the antemedian and postmedian lines, which is dark red-brown below the stigma, shading to dark slate grey. The stigma is a thin silver line, swelling slightly at the outer end and with the inner end joining the antemedian line. Hindwings are dark yellow-brown shading darker toward the margin. The antennae are simple and both the sexes alike. Very similar to Autographa ampla, but in ampla, the patch below the stigma is larger and darker, and there is a small dark patch near the forewing apex, as well as the structural differences that sepatrate the two genera.

Adults are nocturnal and come to light. The larvae are solitary defoliators and have the habitat of switching from the preferred host (blueberry) to a wide range of plants such as Aspen poplar, Jack pine, and Spiraea later in the season. There is a single brood each year.

No Alberta data. Elsewhere, reported to feed mainly on Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.), including commercial blueberry fields. It will switch to Kalmia angustifolia and a variety of trees and shrubs in the fall when blueberry becomes less palatable.

From Newfoundland, west across the southern Boreal forest to Yukon Territory and western British Columbia, south to Pennsylvania and Ohio in the east and Colorado and Oregon in the west. In Alberta, it has been collected throughout much the foothills and low elevations in the mountains and across the Boreal Forest region north to the northern Peace River and the Lake Athabasca regions. Also reported from the Alberta Cypress Hills.