Species Details

Syngrapha abstrusa

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

Common NameAbstrusa Looper SeasonalityThe only two Alberta adults for whom data are available were collected during the later half of June IdentificationA medium-size (3.0-3.2 cm. wingspan) dark grey-brown moth with lighter mottling in the basal and terminal areas. There is a prominent white v-shaped stigma with a round accessory spot or extension. The hindwings are brown, shading to a dark sooty-brown terminal band. Abstrusa is superficially almost identical to Syngrapha alias, but is usually slightly smaller and browner. The genitalia must be examined to make positive identification. In the male, the clasper of abstrusa is about 3x as long as the basal width, and extends to the dorsal margin of the valve (1x the basal width and extending no more than half way to the margin in alias). In females, the ductus bursae is long and thin, 5-6x as long as the width near the junction with the corpus bursae in abstrusa, but only 3-4x as long as wide in alias.

Scientific Name Syngrapha abstrusa Common Name Abstrusa Looper Habitat Dry or well drained coniferous forest. Seasonality The only two Alberta adults for whom data are available were collected during the later half of June Identification
A medium-size (3.0-3.2 cm. wingspan) dark grey-brown moth with lighter mottling in the basal and terminal areas. There is a prominent white v-shaped stigma with a round accessory spot or extension. The hindwings are…
A medium-size (3.0-3.2 cm. wingspan) dark grey-brown moth with lighter mottling in the basal and terminal areas. There is a prominent white v-shaped stigma with a round accessory spot or extension. The hindwings are brown, shading to a dark sooty-brown terminal band. Abstrusa is superficially almost identical to Syngrapha alias, but is usually slightly smaller and browner. The genitalia must be examined to make positive identification. In the male, the clasper of abstrusa is about 3x as long as the basal width, and extends to the dorsal margin of the valve (1x the basal width and extending no more than half way to the margin in alias). In females, the ductus bursae is long and thin, 5-6x as long as the width near the junction with the corpus bursae in abstrusa, but only 3-4x as long as wide in alias.
Life History
Adults are nocturnal and come to light, but have also been collected at dusk while nectaring at fireweed. There is a single brood each year. Abstrusa is usually on the wing earlier in the season than alias (June…
Adults are nocturnal and come to light, but have also been collected at dusk while nectaring at fireweed. There is a single brood each year. Abstrusa is usually on the wing earlier in the season than alias (June versus July-August), and tends to be found in drier habitats than alias.
Conservation A rarely collected species, but widespread and with secure habitat. Diet Info No Alberta data; elsewhere it has been reared from Englemann spruce (Picea englemanni), White spruce (Picea glauca) and Jack pine (Pinus banksiana) Range
Newfoundland west to south central British Columbia and western Montana, south in the mountains to northern New Mexico. In the east, south to New Jersey, Ohio and Wisconsin. In Alberta it has been taken in coniferous…
Newfoundland west to south central British Columbia and western Montana, south in the mountains to northern New Mexico. In the east, south to New Jersey, Ohio and Wisconsin. In Alberta it has been taken in coniferous forest along the southern edge of the Boreal forest region in central Alberta.

Citation

Page Citation for Syngrapha abstrusa

Page Citation

"Species Details - Syngrapha abstrusa, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-1379. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Authorship

Name Anweiler, G. G.
Role species page author

References

Specimen Information

There are 42 specimens of this Species.

42 results plotted on map in 17 markers.
Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.

UASM2108 - Syngrapha abstrusa

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByFuller, E. Date Collected1993-06-16

UASM110787 - Syngrapha abstrusa

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Newfoundland and Labrador, Avalon Peninsula, St. Bride's Collected ByAnweiler, G. G. Date Collected2008-08-01

UASM110788 - Syngrapha abstrusa

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Newfoundland and Labrador, Avalon Peninsula, St. Bride's Collected ByAnweiler, G. G. Date Collected2008-08-01

UASM2111 - Syngrapha abstrusa

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Redwater Collected ByLawrie, D. Date Collected2000-07-08

UASM170211 - Syngrapha abstrusa

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Quebec, Temiscouata county Collected ByHensel, H.

UASM170212 - Syngrapha abstrusa

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Coquihalla Summit Recreation Area Collected ByTroubridge, J. Date Collected1994-07-22

UASM170213 - Syngrapha abstrusa

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Coquihalla Summit Recreation Area Collected ByTroubridge, J. Date Collected1994-07-22

UASM170214 - Syngrapha abstrusa

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Ottawa Collected ByTroubridge, J. Date Collected2003-07-03

UASM170215 - Syngrapha abstrusa

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: New Brunswick, Saint-Basile Collected ByHensel, H. Date Collected1988-06-18

UASM170216 - Syngrapha abstrusa

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: New Brunswick, Saint-Basile Collected ByHensel, H. Date Collected2000-06-26

UASM170217 - Syngrapha abstrusa

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Pakenham Collected ByTroubridge, J. Date Collected2005-06-26

UASM170218 - Syngrapha abstrusa

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Pakenham Collected ByTroubridge, J. Date Collected2005-06-29

UASM170219 - Syngrapha abstrusa

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Pakenham Collected ByTroubridge, J. Date Collected2005-06-29

UASM170220 - Syngrapha abstrusa

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Manning Provincial Park Collected ByTroubridge, J. Date Collected1994-07-08

UASM170221 - Syngrapha abstrusa

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Manning Provincial Park Collected ByTroubridge, J. Date Collected1993-07-23

UASM170222 - Syngrapha abstrusa

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: New Brunswick, York county Collected ByWebster, R. P. Date Collected1999-06-03

UASM170223 - Syngrapha abstrusa

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Okanagan Falls Collected ByTroubridge, J. Date Collected1990-07-05/1990-07-10

UASM170224 - Syngrapha abstrusa

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Carp Ridge Collected ByTroubridge, J. Date Collected2004-07-01

UASM170225 - Syngrapha abstrusa

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedUnited States: Montana, Missoula county, Missoula Collected ByKohler, S. Date Collected1989-07-05

UASM170226 - Syngrapha abstrusa

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedUnited States: Montana, Missoula county, Missoula Collected ByKohler, S. Date Collected1989-07-05

UASM170227 - Syngrapha abstrusa

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Dorcas Bay Collected ByTroubridge, J. Date Collected2004-07-17

Adult Seasonal Distribution