SeasonalityIn Alberta adults have been collected from late June through mid August.IdentificationE. olivalis is a member of the detersa group of the subgenus Euxoa. They are medium-sized moths (3.0-3.4 cm wingspan) with brown or grey-brown forewings, longitudinally streaked with black, light grey and olive brown. The costa and cubital vein are contrasting light grey, especially near the base. The elongated orbicular spot and crescent shaped reniform are also outlined and partially filled with contrasting pale grey scales. There is a thin black basal line, and black scales outline the claviform spot and fill the cell before the orbicular and between the orbicular and reniform spots. The veins are mostly lined with black scales, and there is a series of basally pointing black arrowheads between the veins in the submarginal area. The terminal band is dark brown. There is usually a slightly paler olive or yellow-brown streak running from below the orbicular spot to the anal angle. Hindwings pale buff usually shading to smoky brown on the outer third; entirely brown in females and some males. Very similar to E. plagigera, and to a lesser extent to E. oblongistigma. The light grey or white cubital vein will separate most specimens of olivalis from these similar species. Questionable specimens may require dissecting for positive identification. Lafontaine has prepared useful keys to the detersa group (Lafontaine, 1981) and to the genus Euxoa (Lafontaine, 1987).
Scientific NameEuxoa olivalisHabitat
Arid sagebrush grasslands and open montane pine forest
Seasonality
In Alberta adults have been collected from late June through mid August.
Identification
E. olivalis is a member of the detersa group of the subgenus Euxoa. They are medium-sized moths (3.0-3.4 cm wingspan) with brown or grey-brown forewings, longitudinally streaked with black, light grey and olive brown.…
E. olivalis is a member of the detersa group of the subgenus Euxoa. They are medium-sized moths (3.0-3.4 cm wingspan) with brown or grey-brown forewings, longitudinally streaked with black, light grey and olive brown. The costa and cubital vein are contrasting light grey, especially near the base. The elongated orbicular spot and crescent shaped reniform are also outlined and partially filled with contrasting pale grey scales. There is a thin black basal line, and black scales outline the claviform spot and fill the cell before the orbicular and between the orbicular and reniform spots. The veins are mostly lined with black scales, and there is a series of basally pointing black arrowheads between the veins in the submarginal area. The terminal band is dark brown. There is usually a slightly paler olive or yellow-brown streak running from below the orbicular spot to the anal angle. Hindwings pale buff usually shading to smoky brown on the outer third; entirely brown in females and some males. Very similar to E. plagigera, and to a lesser extent to E. oblongistigma. The light grey or white cubital vein will separate most specimens of olivalis from these similar species. Questionable specimens may require dissecting for positive identification. Lafontaine has prepared useful keys to the detersa group (Lafontaine, 1981) and to the genus Euxoa (Lafontaine, 1987).
Life History
There is a single brood each year, with adults flying mainly in July. They are attracted to light.
Conservation
A widespread species; no concerns.
Diet Info
No information available.
Range
From southern Saskatchewan south to west to south-central BC, south to southern California, northern Arizona and New Mexico. In Alberta, it has been collected in the mountains, parklands and grasslands, from just…
From southern Saskatchewan south to west to south-central BC, south to southern California, northern Arizona and New Mexico. In Alberta, it has been collected in the mountains, parklands and grasslands, from just north of Jasper and the Red Deer area south.
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Citation
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Page Citation for Euxoa olivalis
Page Citation
"Species Details - Euxoa olivalis, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-2365. Accessed 18 Feb. 2025.
References
AuthorLafontaine, J. Donald
TitleClassification and Phylogeny of the Euxoa detersa Group (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).
Publication Date1981
Series TitleQuaestiones Entomologicae
Volume17
Pages1-120
AuthorLafontaine, J. Donald
TitleNoctuoidea : Noctuidae (part)
Publication Date1987
Pages237
Specimen Information
There are 109 specimens of this Species.
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109 results plotted on map in 28 markers. Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.