Species Details

Acossus populi

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

Common NameAspen Carpenterworm SeasonalityAdults have been collected in Alberta from mid-June through late July. IdentificationA rather large (5.0-6.8 cm wingspan) heavy-bodied light grey moth. The thorax is grey, with a narrow white band bordered by black at the anterior and posterior edges, and the abdomen is dull grey. Forewings are dirty white, crossed by a network of fine dark grey broken lines. Two or more of these lines in the median area are usually darker, more prominent and often partly joined. The fringe is checkered grey and black, with black scales marking the veins. Hindwings are grey with a net of fine black lines as in the forewings. The antennae are narrowly bipectinate in males and serrate in females. The similar Poplar Carpenterworm (A. centerensis) has two-toned forewings with the basal half much darker, and poorly marked white hindwings. Females of the Carpenterworm (P. robiniae) are similar, but have grey blotches on the forewings, and males have large yellow-orange splotches in the anal area of the hindwings.

Scientific Name Acossus populi Common Name Aspen Carpenterworm Habitat Mature woodland with poplar, in particular Trembling aspen, and especially near wetlands. Seasonality Adults have been collected in Alberta from mid-June through late July. Identification
A rather large (5.0-6.8 cm wingspan) heavy-bodied light grey moth. The thorax is grey, with a narrow white band bordered by black at the anterior and posterior edges, and the abdomen is dull grey. Forewings are dirty…
A rather large (5.0-6.8 cm wingspan) heavy-bodied light grey moth. The thorax is grey, with a narrow white band bordered by black at the anterior and posterior edges, and the abdomen is dull grey. Forewings are dirty white, crossed by a network of fine dark grey broken lines. Two or more of these lines in the median area are usually darker, more prominent and often partly joined. The fringe is checkered grey and black, with black scales marking the veins. Hindwings are grey with a net of fine black lines as in the forewings. The antennae are narrowly bipectinate in males and serrate in females. The similar Poplar Carpenterworm (A. centerensis) has two-toned forewings with the basal half much darker, and poorly marked white hindwings. Females of the Carpenterworm (P. robiniae) are similar, but have grey blotches on the forewings, and males have large yellow-orange splotches in the anal area of the hindwings.
Life History
There is little information available on the life history of the Aspen Carpenterworm. Like our other carpenterworm species, the larvae are borers and live in galleries they create in the trunks and stems of poplar…
There is little information available on the life history of the Aspen Carpenterworm. Like our other carpenterworm species, the larvae are borers and live in galleries they create in the trunks and stems of poplar trees. The closely related Carpenterworm takes three to four years to complete the life cycle, and it is likely that the Aspen Carpenterworm also takes several years to mature. Adults are usually collected at light. Although the larval burrows can damage the host trees, they are considered to be of no economic concern.
Conservation A widespread species; no concerns. Diet Info No Alberta data. Elsewhere reported to be a borer in poplars (Populus sp.). Range
Transcontinental. Widespread in Alberta. The Aspen Carpenterworm has been collected in the Boreal forest north to Zama, south in the Parklands to Tolman Bridge Recreation Area, and throughout the Foothills and…
Transcontinental. Widespread in Alberta. The Aspen Carpenterworm has been collected in the Boreal forest north to Zama, south in the Parklands to Tolman Bridge Recreation Area, and throughout the Foothills and Mountain regions, from Jasper National Park to the Waterton - Crowsnest area.
Acossus populi
Acossus populi

Citation

Page Citation for Acossus populi

Page Citation

"Species Details - Acossus populi, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-2293. Accessed 14 Dec. 2024.

References

Specimen Information

There are 43 specimens of this Species.

43 results plotted on map in 26 markers.
Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.

UASM2433 - Acossus populi

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Tolman Bridge Recreational Area Collected ByAnweiler, G. G. Date Collected2001-08-04

UASM2836 - Acossus populi

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Kananaskis Country, Elbow Falls Provincial Recreation Area Collected ByAnweiler, G. G. Date Collected1994-07-23

UASM2837 - Acossus populi

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Kananaskis Country Collected ByAnweiler, G. G. Date Collected1991-07-26

UASM2886 - Acossus populi

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1938-07-20

UASM2887 - Acossus populi

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1923-07-24

UASM2901 - Acossus populi

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1934-06-08

UASM2902 - Acossus populi

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1916-07-01

UASM2903 - Acossus populi

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Red Deer Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1923-06-30

UASM2904 - Acossus populi

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1923-07-26

UASM24585 - Acossus populi

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Ironwood Lake Collected ByFuller, E. R. Date Collected1993-07-23/1993-07-26

BIRD3757 - Acossus populi

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2000-07-28

BIRD3758 - Acossus populi

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Arrowwood Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2000-08-03

BIRD3759 - Acossus populi

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Arrowwood Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2003-06-27

BIRD3760 - Acossus populi

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Red Deer Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2002-07-10

UASM41960 - Acossus populi

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Waterton River Collected ByFuller, E. R. Date Collected2003-07-17

UASM58335 - Acossus populi

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1932-06-28

UASM78188 - Acossus populi

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Birch Mountains Wildland Provincial Park, Gardiner Lakes Collected ByMacaulay, D. A.; Macaulay, S. H. Date Collected2004-07-14

UASM78189 - Acossus populi

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Birch Mountains Wildland Provincial Park, Gardiner Lakes Collected ByMacaulay, D. A.; Macaulay, S. H. Date Collected2004-07-14

BIRD6094 - Acossus populi

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Rochon Sands Provincial Park Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2004-07-13

BIRD6095 - Acossus populi

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2004-07-23

BIRD6096 - Acossus populi

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2004-07-23

Adult Seasonal Distribution