Species Details

Raphia frater

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

Common NameThe Brother SeasonalityAdults are on the wing in Alberta from early May through the end of July. IdentificationA medium-size (3.3-3.8 cm wingspan) moth with powdery grey forewings and white hindwings. The dark grey forewings are crossed by the black antemedian and postmedian lines, while the subterminal line is marked by lighter grey on a black background. The orbicular and reniform are usually well marked, finely outlined with black scales and with dark centers. Hindwing is shining white with a faint discal dot and postmedian band and a fine black terminal band. There is a small patch of dark scales at the anal angle. Males are smaller than females and have bipectinate antennae (simple in females). The closely related R. coloradensis has paler grey and light tan forewings with contrasting black patches near the base and along the lower half. See also Acronicta species, most of which are lighter grey in color.

Scientific Name Raphia frater Common Name The Brother Habitat Deciduous woodland. Seasonality Adults are on the wing in Alberta from early May through the end of July. Identification
A medium-size (3.3-3.8 cm wingspan) moth with powdery grey forewings and white hindwings. The dark grey forewings are crossed by the black antemedian and postmedian lines, while the subterminal line is marked by…
A medium-size (3.3-3.8 cm wingspan) moth with powdery grey forewings and white hindwings. The dark grey forewings are crossed by the black antemedian and postmedian lines, while the subterminal line is marked by lighter grey on a black background. The orbicular and reniform are usually well marked, finely outlined with black scales and with dark centers. Hindwing is shining white with a faint discal dot and postmedian band and a fine black terminal band. There is a small patch of dark scales at the anal angle. Males are smaller than females and have bipectinate antennae (simple in females). The closely related R. coloradensis has paler grey and light tan forewings with contrasting black patches near the base and along the lower half. See also Acronicta species, most of which are lighter grey in color.
Life History Adults are nocturnal and come to lights. The larvae are solitary defoliators. There is apparently a single brood each year, and they overwinter as pupae. Conservation A common, widespread species; no concerns. Diet Info
No Alberta data; elsewhere in Canada poplars, in particular Trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) and Balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera). Other hosts recorded much less frequently include willow (Salix sp.), White…
No Alberta data; elsewhere in Canada poplars, in particular Trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) and Balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera). Other hosts recorded much less frequently include willow (Salix sp.), White birch (Betula papyrifera) and speckled alder (Alnus rugosa).
Range
Nova Scotia west, across the forested regions of Canada to British Columbia, south to Mississippi in the east. The southern limits in the west are uncertain due to confusion with several closely related species or…
Nova Scotia west, across the forested regions of Canada to British Columbia, south to Mississippi in the east. The southern limits in the west are uncertain due to confusion with several closely related species or forms. In Alberta, they are found throughout the Aspen parklands, the Boreal forest north to Lake Athabasca and the foothills and lower elevations in the mountains. They are replaced in the wooded valleys or the grasslands region by the closely related R. coloradensis.

Citation

Page Citation for Raphia frater

Page Citation

"Species Details - Raphia frater, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-1502. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Authorship

Name Anweiler, G. G.
Role species page author

References

Specimen Information

There are 187 specimens of this Species.

187 results plotted on map in 72 markers.
Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.

UASM13801 - Raphia frater

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1946-05-24

UASM13803 - Raphia frater

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1938-06-13

UASM13807 - Raphia frater

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1934-05-14

UASM13815 - Raphia frater

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1939-05-26

UASM13817 - Raphia frater

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1944-05-30

UASM13820 - Raphia frater

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1943-07-23

UASM13822 - Raphia frater

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1934-05-07

UASM13835 - Raphia frater

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1929-06-15

UASM13851 - Raphia frater

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1933-05-28

UASM13853 - Raphia frater

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Date Collected1921-06-08

UASM13869 - Raphia frater

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Date Collected1921-05-20

UASM7045 - Raphia frater

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Tofield Collected BySchmidt, B. C. Date Collected1999-08-04

UASM7402 - Raphia frater

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Tofield Collected BySchmidt, B. C. Date Collected2000-06-20

UASM7403 - Raphia frater

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Tofield Collected BySchmidt, B. C. Date Collected2000-06-21

UASM7406 - Raphia frater

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Tofield Collected BySchmidt, B. C. Date Collected2000-06-20

UASM7408 - Raphia frater

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Tofield Collected BySchmidt, B. C. Date Collected2000-06-20

UASM7411 - Raphia frater

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Tofield Collected BySchmidt, B. C. Date Collected2000-06-21

UASM2577 - Raphia frater

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Dinosaur Provincial Park Collected ByAnweiler, G. G. Date Collected1999-06-13

UASM24048 - Raphia frater

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edgerton Collected ByAnweiler, G. G. Date Collected2002-06-01/2002-06-02

UASM43541 - Raphia frater

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta Collected ByLawrie, D. Date Collected1995-06-05

UASM43542 - Raphia frater

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta Collected ByLawrie, D. Date Collected1995-06-10

Adult Seasonal Distribution