Species Details
Syngrapha rectangula
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameSalt and Pepper Looper
SeasonalityAdults have been collected in Alberta from early July through mid-August.
IdentificationA medium-size moth (3.2-3.5 cm wingspan) with black and white forewings and brown hingwings. The forewings are almost black with extensive areas of pale, reflective silvery greenish-grey scaling in the basal and terminal areas. Stigma is large and silver, connecting to a silvery patch in the basal area with the pale postmedian band and with a silver patch at the orbicular. Fringe is checkered black and white. The hingwings are sooty brown, with a broad darker brown terminal band. Superficially similar to several other Syngrapha species, in particular S. alias and S. octoscripta. The more extensive silvery-white scaling on the forewings and in particular, the white at the orbicular spot, will separate rectangula from the others.
Scientific Name
Syngrapha rectangula
Common Name
Salt and Pepper Looper
Habitat
Boreal and Montana coniferous (especially fir) forest.
Seasonality
Adults have been collected in Alberta from early July through mid-August.
Identification
A medium-size moth (3.2-3.5 cm wingspan) with black and white forewings and brown hingwings. The forewings are almost black with extensive areas of pale, reflective silvery greenish-grey scaling in the basal and…
A medium-size moth (3.2-3.5 cm wingspan) with black and white forewings and brown hingwings. The forewings are almost black with extensive areas of pale, reflective silvery greenish-grey scaling in the basal and terminal areas. Stigma is large and silver, connecting to a silvery patch in the basal area with the pale postmedian band and with a silver patch at the orbicular. Fringe is checkered black and white. The hingwings are sooty brown, with a broad darker brown terminal band. Superficially similar to several other Syngrapha species, in particular S. alias and S. octoscripta. The more extensive silvery-white scaling on the forewings and in particular, the white at the orbicular spot, will separate rectangula from the others.
Life History
The adults are nocturnal and come to light. The larvae are solitary defoliators. There is a single brood each year, which overwinters in the larval stage.
Conservation
A fairly common, widespread species; no concerns.
Diet Info
No Alberta data. Elsewhere in Canada, the larvae have been found on a variety of coniferous trees, including fir (Abies), hemlock (Tsuga), spruce (Picea) and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga); however, they show a decided…
No Alberta data. Elsewhere in Canada, the larvae have been found on a variety of coniferous trees, including fir (Abies), hemlock (Tsuga), spruce (Picea) and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga); however, they show a decided preference for firs.
Range
Widespread across the Boreal forest region, from Newfoundland to Vancouver Island. In the west, they occur from northern British Columbia south to Oregon and southwestern Montana, and in the east south to Tennessee…
Widespread across the Boreal forest region, from Newfoundland to Vancouver Island. In the west, they occur from northern British Columbia south to Oregon and southwestern Montana, and in the east south to Tennessee and the Carolinas.
Citation
Page Citation for Syngrapha rectangula
Page Citation
"Species Details - Syngrapha rectangula, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-1257. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
References
Author
Prentice, R. M.
Title
Forest Lepidoptera of Canada. (1962)
Publication Date
1962
Volume
2
Pages
281
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 51 specimens of this Species.
UASM170041 - Syngrapha rectangula
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: New Brunswick, York county
Collected ByWebster, R. P.
Date Collected1992-07-25
UASM170042 - Syngrapha rectangula
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: New Brunswick, York county
Collected ByWebster, R. P.
Date Collected1992-08-02
UASM170043 - Syngrapha rectangula
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Gabriola Island
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected1988-07-21
UASM170044 - Syngrapha rectangula
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Pelican Mountain
Collected BySchmidt
Date Collected1999-08-10
UASM170045 - Syngrapha rectangula
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedUnited States: New York, Warren county, Brant Lake (INHAB)
UASM170046 - Syngrapha rectangula
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Nova Scotia, Chignecto
Collected ByGeorgeson, E.
Date Collected1992-08-01
UASM170047 - Syngrapha rectangula
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Nova Scotia, Malagash
Collected ByGeorgeson, E.
Date Collected1988-06-22
UASM170048 - Syngrapha rectangula
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByFuller, E.
Date Collected1993-07-09
UASM170049 - Syngrapha rectangula
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Waterton Lakes National Park
Collected BySchmidt, B. C. et al
Date Collected2006-08-14