Species Details

Syngrapha selecta

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

Common NameBlue Metal Mark SeasonalityThe only Alberta data is for an adult collected at Lake Athabasca on July 20. IdentificationA medium-sized (3.8 cm. wingspan) moth with somewhat shining grey forewings and light brown hindwings. Forewings are ash grey, with fine black indistinct lines and a pale green stigma. Hindwings are buff-brown with a wide contrasting smoky brown terminal band. Selecta are very similar to the much more common S. viridisigma, but on the average, a bit smaller and paler and the hindwings are paler so that the contrast with the dark terminal band is more pronounced. However, these differences may be subtle, and the genitalia in both sexes should be examined for positive identifications. In selecta males, the valve is tapered toward the apex, the clasper is large and triangular and extends to the dorsal margin of the valve and the vesica has a single cornutus. In males of viridisigma, the valve is broad and rounded toward the apex, the clasper is small and fingerlike and extends less than one-half the distance across the valve and the vesica has two cornuti. Females of viridsigma, lack a process on the ostium bursae, whereas females of selecta have a heavily sclerotized caudal process on the ostium bursae, visible without dissection. The antennae are simple and both the sexes are similar. Much of the historical published data for selecta actually refers to viridisigma.

Scientific Name Syngrapha selecta Common Name Blue Metal Mark Habitat Montane and Boreal forest. Seasonality The only Alberta data is for an adult collected at Lake Athabasca on July 20. Identification
A medium-sized (3.8 cm. wingspan) moth with somewhat shining grey forewings and light brown hindwings. Forewings are ash grey, with fine black indistinct lines and a pale green stigma. Hindwings are buff-brown with…
A medium-sized (3.8 cm. wingspan) moth with somewhat shining grey forewings and light brown hindwings. Forewings are ash grey, with fine black indistinct lines and a pale green stigma. Hindwings are buff-brown with a wide contrasting smoky brown terminal band. Selecta are very similar to the much more common S. viridisigma, but on the average, a bit smaller and paler and the hindwings are paler so that the contrast with the dark terminal band is more pronounced. However, these differences may be subtle, and the genitalia in both sexes should be examined for positive identifications. In selecta males, the valve is tapered toward the apex, the clasper is large and triangular and extends to the dorsal margin of the valve and the vesica has a single cornutus. In males of viridisigma, the valve is broad and rounded toward the apex, the clasper is small and fingerlike and extends less than one-half the distance across the valve and the vesica has two cornuti. Females of viridsigma, lack a process on the ostium bursae, whereas females of selecta have a heavily sclerotized caudal process on the ostium bursae, visible without dissection. The antennae are simple and both the sexes are similar. Much of the historical published data for selecta actually refers to viridisigma.
Life History The adults are nocturnal and come to light. There is a single brood each year. Conservation A rare species globally, known from about 20 localities. Only 2 Alberta records. Diet Info
Unknown. In a laboratory setting larvae accepted blueberry (Vaccinium), willow (Salix) and birch (Betula), and refused spruce and other conifers (Lafontaine and Poole, 1991). Published data is unreliable due to the…
Unknown. In a laboratory setting larvae accepted blueberry (Vaccinium), willow (Salix) and birch (Betula), and refused spruce and other conifers (Lafontaine and Poole, 1991). Published data is unreliable due to the lumping of the two species until recently.
Range
Newfoundland, north and west to the Mackenzie River Valley in the North West Territories, south to Nova Scotia, northern Michigan and the foothills of Alberta. In Alberta, it has been collected in the foothills west…
Newfoundland, north and west to the Mackenzie River Valley in the North West Territories, south to Nova Scotia, northern Michigan and the foothills of Alberta. In Alberta, it has been collected in the foothills west of Calgary and on the north shore of Lake Athabasca.

Citation

Page Citation for Syngrapha selecta

Page Citation

"Species Details - Syngrapha selecta, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-1144. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024.

References

Specimen Information

There are 21 specimens of this Species.

20 results plotted on map in 8 markers.
Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.

UASM19626 - Syngrapha selecta

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Lake Athabasca Collected ByLawrie, D. Date Collected2001-07-20

UASM170615 - Syngrapha selecta

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: New Brunswick, Northumberland Collected ByWebster, R. P.

UASM170616 - Syngrapha selecta

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: New Brunswick, Saint-Basile Collected ByHensel, H. Date Collected1994-08-08

UASM170617 - Syngrapha selecta

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Quebec, Degelis Collected ByHensel, H.

UASM170618 - Syngrapha selecta

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Quebec, Temiscouata county Collected ByHensel, H. Date Collected1992-08-24

UASM170619 - Syngrapha selecta

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Manitoba, Akudlik Collected ByHensel, H. Date Collected1996-07-24

UASM170620 - Syngrapha selecta

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: New Brunswick, Tabusintac River

UASM170621 - Syngrapha selecta

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: New Brunswick, Tabusintac River

UASM170622 - Syngrapha selecta

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: New Brunswick, Tabusintac River

UASM170623 - Syngrapha selecta

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: New Brunswick, Tabusintac River

UASM170624 - Syngrapha selecta

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: New Brunswick, Tabusintac River

UASM170625 - Syngrapha selecta

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: New Brunswick, Tabusintac River

UASM170626 - Syngrapha selecta

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: New Brunswick, Edmundston Collected ByHensel, H. Date Collected1992-08-08

UASM170627 - Syngrapha selecta

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: New Brunswick, Edmundston Collected ByHensel, H. Date Collected1992-08-22

UASM170628 - Syngrapha selecta

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: New Brunswick, Edmundston Collected ByHensel, H. Date Collected1994-08-09

UASM170629 - Syngrapha selecta

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: New Brunswick, Edmundston Collected ByHensel, H. Date Collected1996-08-19

UASM170630 - Syngrapha selecta

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Manitoba, Churchill Collected ByHensel, H. Date Collected1999-07-10/1999-07-16

UASM170631 - Syngrapha selecta

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Manitoba, Churchill Collected ByHensel, H. Date Collected1999-07-20

UASM170632 - Syngrapha selecta

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Manitoba, Churchill Collected ByHensel, H. Date Collected1999-08-21

UASM170633 - Syngrapha selecta

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Manitoba, Churchill Collected ByHensel, H. Date Collected2001-07-19

UASM170634 - Syngrapha selecta

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Manitoba, Churchill Collected ByHensel, H. Date Collected1991-07-13

Adult Seasonal Distribution