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Species Details
Nomophila nearctica
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameLucerne Moth
SeasonalityApril to October, the early individuals being worn and these appear to have come up from the south.
IdentificationA large Pyralid with narrow, dark brown forewings and light brown hindwings. The orbicular, reniform and claviform areas are dark while the subterminal space is strigose. The wingspan ranges from 24-35 mm. The size, short labial palps, dark brown forewings with dark areas, and strigose subterminal area make this species easy to identify.
Scientific Name
Nomophila nearctica
Common Name
Lucerne Moth
Habitat
Widespread.
Seasonality
April to October, the early individuals being worn and these appear to have come up from the south.
Identification
A large Pyralid with narrow, dark brown forewings and light brown hindwings. The orbicular, reniform and claviform areas are dark while the subterminal space is strigose. The wingspan ranges from 24-35 mm. The size,…
A large Pyralid with narrow, dark brown forewings and light brown hindwings. The orbicular, reniform and claviform areas are dark while the subterminal space is strigose. The wingspan ranges from 24-35 mm. The size, short labial palps, dark brown forewings with dark areas, and strigose subterminal area make this species easy to identify.
Life History
Adults are diurnal and come to light at night.
Conservation
Common and of no concern.
Diet Info
The larvae feed on a wide variety of plants, including grasses, Polygonum and sweet clover (Covell 1984).
Range
Munroe (1973) divided the genus Nomophila into 12 distinct species of which one, Nomophila nearctica, was limited to North America (Goater 1986). Common to abundant in eastern North America, sometimes migrating to the…
Munroe (1973) divided the genus Nomophila into 12 distinct species of which one, Nomophila nearctica, was limited to North America (Goater 1986). Common to abundant in eastern North America, sometimes migrating to the far north (Covell 1984), also widespread in western North America. Reported from Areas 7 (Lloydminster), 10 (Edmonton) and 20 (Nordegg) in Alberta by Bowman (1951) as Nomophila noctuella Dyar.
Citation
Page Citation for Nomophila nearctica
Page Citation
"Species Details - Nomophila nearctica, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-24222/9-189077. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.
References
Author
Covell, C. V., Jr.
Title
A field guide to the moths of eastern North America.
Publication Date
1984
Pages
496
Author
Munroe, E. G.
Title
A supposedly cosmopolitan insect: the celery webworm and allies, genus Nomophila Hübner (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae: Pyraustinae).
Publication Date
1973
Series Title
The Canadian Entomologist
Volume
105
Pages
177-216
Author
Bowman, K.
Title
An annotated list of the Lepidoptera of Alberta.
Publication Date
1951
Series Title
Canadian Journal of Zoology
Volume
29
Pages
121-165
Author
Goater, Barry
Title
British Pyralid Moths, a guide to their identification.
Publication Date
1986
Author
Forbes, William T. M.
Title
The Lepidoptera of New York and neighboring states : Part 1
Publication Date
1923
Series Title
Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station. Memoir
Volume
1
Pages
729
Specimen Information
There are 72 specimens of this Species.
UASM42459 - Nomophila nearctica
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1940-09-17
UASM42460 - Nomophila nearctica
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1941-08-01
UASM42461 - Nomophila nearctica
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1941-08-09
UASM42462 - Nomophila nearctica
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1937-09-18
UASM42463 - Nomophila nearctica
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1932-07-19
UASM42464 - Nomophila nearctica
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1935-07-21
UASM42465 - Nomophila nearctica
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1938-09-02
UASM42466 - Nomophila nearctica
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1924-09-04
UASM42467 - Nomophila nearctica
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1924-07-24
UASM92060 - Nomophila nearctica
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Lost River
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.; Troubridge, J.
Date Collected2005-09-02
UASM92241 - Nomophila nearctica
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Bindloss
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.; Troubridge, J.
Date Collected2005-09-03
UASM92242 - Nomophila nearctica
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Bindloss
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.; Troubridge, J.
Date Collected2005-09-03
BIRD20164 - Nomophila nearctica
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Arrowwood
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2006-07-29
BIRD20165 - Nomophila nearctica
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2006-08-06
BIRD20166 - Nomophila nearctica
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Stettler
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2006-08-28
BIRD29888 - Nomophila nearctica
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2000-06-12
BIRD29889 - Nomophila nearctica
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Arrowwood
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2000-08-03
BIRD29890 - Nomophila nearctica
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Saskatchewan, Rocanville
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2001-07-30
BIRD29891 - Nomophila nearctica
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Tolman Bridge
Collected ByMengersen, E.
Date Collected2001-07-08/2001-07-09
BIRD29892 - Nomophila nearctica
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2001-07-18
BIRD29893 - Nomophila nearctica
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Saskatchewan, Rocanville
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2001-07-30