Species Details

Autographa bimaculata

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

Common NameTwo-spotted Looper Moth, Twin Gold Spot SeasonalityAdults have been collected in Alberta in from mid-July through August. IdentificationA medium-size moth (3.7-4.0 cm wingspan). The forewings are dark rust or pink-brown and tan, the central area and a broad subterminal band darker than the rest and the central area in particular largely metallic. Lower portions of the antemedian and postmedian lines are usually marked by metallic silver scales. There is a large, two part (but often joined) bright silver-gold stigma in the center of the forewing, as well as a small silver spot just inside the base of the reniform spot. The inner part of the stigma is shaped like a G, while the outer part is oval, both infilled. Hindwings are sooty brown, shading into a wide dark terminal band. The antennae are simple and the sexes are similar. Overall, similar in appearance to A. metallica, which occurs in the southern mountains of Alberta. Metallica is usually darker brown and has a one part teardrop-shaped stigma.

Scientific Name Autographa bimaculata Common Name Two-spotted Looper Moth, Twin Gold Spot Habitat Open woodland, clearings and edges, hay meadows, etc. Seasonality Adults have been collected in Alberta in from mid-July through August. Identification
A medium-size moth (3.7-4.0 cm wingspan). The forewings are dark rust or pink-brown and tan, the central area and a broad subterminal band darker than the rest and the central area in particular largely metallic. …
A medium-size moth (3.7-4.0 cm wingspan). The forewings are dark rust or pink-brown and tan, the central area and a broad subterminal band darker than the rest and the central area in particular largely metallic. Lower portions of the antemedian and postmedian lines are usually marked by metallic silver scales. There is a large, two part (but often joined) bright silver-gold stigma in the center of the forewing, as well as a small silver spot just inside the base of the reniform spot. The inner part of the stigma is shaped like a G, while the outer part is oval, both infilled. Hindwings are sooty brown, shading into a wide dark terminal band. The antennae are simple and the sexes are similar. Overall, similar in appearance to A. metallica, which occurs in the southern mountains of Alberta. Metallica is usually darker brown and has a one part teardrop-shaped stigma.
Life History Adults are nocturnal and come to light. There is a single brood each year. Conservation A common, widespread moth. No concerns. Diet Info
No Alberta data. Elsewhere, dandelion (Taraxicum sp.) is listed as a larval host, and it has been reared in the lab on plantain (Plantago) and stinging nettle (Urtica dioica). Probably a general feeder on herbaceous…
No Alberta data. Elsewhere, dandelion (Taraxicum sp.) is listed as a larval host, and it has been reared in the lab on plantain (Plantago) and stinging nettle (Urtica dioica). Probably a general feeder on herbaceous plants as are most members of the genus.
Range
Newfoundland west, almost to the British Columbia coast, north to the Northwest Territories and south to New Mexico in the west and Pennsylvania and Long Island in the east. In Alberta, it can be found throughout the…
Newfoundland west, almost to the British Columbia coast, north to the Northwest Territories and south to New Mexico in the west and Pennsylvania and Long Island in the east. In Alberta, it can be found throughout the wooded areas, from Lake Athabasca south to the valleys of the Grasslands region.
Autographa bimaculata
Autographa bimaculata

Citation

Page Citation for Autographa bimaculata

Page Citation

"Species Details - Autographa bimaculata, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-1925. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Authorship

Name Anweiler, G. G.
Role species page author

References

Specimen Information

There are 96 specimens of this Species.

96 results plotted on map in 32 markers.
Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.

UASM13326 - Autographa bimaculata

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Date Collected1918-07-24

UASM13328 - Autographa bimaculata

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1924-07-26

UASM13330 - Autographa bimaculata

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Red Deer Collected ByWhitehouse, F. C. Date Collected1917-07-24

UASM13331 - Autographa bimaculata

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Date Collected1916-07-28

UASM13334 - Autographa bimaculata

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1917-07-19

UASM13335 - Autographa bimaculata

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Jasper National Park, Pocahontas Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1917-08-23

UASM13337 - Autographa bimaculata

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Date Collected1916-07-12

UASM13340 - Autographa bimaculata

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, George Lake

UASM13341 - Autographa bimaculata

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, George Lake Collected ByGraham, P. Date Collected1966-07-24/1966-08-02

UASM13342 - Autographa bimaculata

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Lethbridge Collected ByStrickland, Edgar H. Date Collected1925-07-30

UASM13343 - Autographa bimaculata

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, George Lake Collected ByGraham, P. Date Collected1966-08-11/1966-08-12

UASM13345 - Autographa bimaculata

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, George Lake Collected ByGraham, P. Date Collected1966-07-24/1966-08-02

UASM13347 - Autographa bimaculata

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Date Collected1916-09-16

UASM13348 - Autographa bimaculata

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Red Deer Collected ByWhitehouse, F. C. Date Collected1917-07-24

UASM13349 - Autographa bimaculata

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Date Collected1917-07-17

UASM13350 - Autographa bimaculata

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Date Collected1918-07-30

UASM13352 - Autographa bimaculata

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1935-08-03

UASM13354 - Autographa bimaculata

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, George Lake Date Collected1966-07-21

UASM13356 - Autographa bimaculata

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1939-07-25

UASM13358 - Autographa bimaculata

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1944-07-25

UASM13359 - Autographa bimaculata

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, George Lake Collected ByGraham, P. Date Collected1966-07-24/1966-08-02

Adult Seasonal Distribution