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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/2-1502/9-414811. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.

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.

JD2459 - Raphia frater

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Pembina River Provincial Park Collected ByHunting, W. Date Collected2007-06-04

BIRD35137 - Raphia frater

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2011-06-22

BIRD35138 - Raphia frater

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2011-06-27

BIRD35139 - Raphia frater

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2011-06-27

BIRD35986 - Raphia frater

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2012-06-03

BIRD35987 - Raphia frater

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2012-06-11

BIRD35988 - Raphia frater

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2012-06-20

BIRD35989 - Raphia frater

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2012-06-23

BIRD35990 - Raphia frater

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2012-06-23

BIRD35991 - Raphia frater

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2012-06-28

BIRD35992 - Raphia frater

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2012-07-06

BIRD36896 - Raphia frater

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2013-05-20

BIRD36897 - Raphia frater

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2013-05-20

BIRD36898 - Raphia frater

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2013-06-29

BIRD36899 - Raphia frater

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2013-07-09

BIRD37582 - Raphia frater

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2014-06-22

BIRD37583 - Raphia frater

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2014-07-12

POHL-13-00982 - Raphia frater

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Sherwood Park Collected ByPohl, G. R. Date Collected2006-06-01

POHL-13-00983 - Raphia frater

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Sherwood Park Collected ByPohl, G. R. Date Collected2010-08-27

Adult Seasonal Distribution