Species Details
Aglossa cuprina
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameGrease Moth
SeasonalityAugust.
IdentificationA large, yellowish-tan or clay colored Pyralid with a wingspan of 18-23 mm. The forewings are yellowish-tan and heavily shaded with dull rose and gray. A diagnostic character is the many alternating dark and light markings along the costal margin between the AM and PM lines. The hindwings are pale white. Aglossa caprealis is the same size but the forewings are dark luteous gray with little or no pinkish shading (Forbes 1923). Aglossa pinguinalis is larger, grayer and has darker hindwings. The members of this genus belong to the Family Pyralidae, Subfamily Pyralinae, Tribe Pyralini.
Scientific Name
Aglossa cuprina
Common Name
Grease Moth
Habitat
The single collection was from a badland area.
Seasonality
August.
Identification
A large, yellowish-tan or clay colored Pyralid with a wingspan of 18-23 mm. The forewings are yellowish-tan and heavily shaded with dull rose and gray. A diagnostic character is the many alternating dark and light…
A large, yellowish-tan or clay colored Pyralid with a wingspan of 18-23 mm. The forewings are yellowish-tan and heavily shaded with dull rose and gray. A diagnostic character is the many alternating dark and light markings along the costal margin between the AM and PM lines. The hindwings are pale white. Aglossa caprealis is the same size but the forewings are dark luteous gray with little or no pinkish shading (Forbes 1923). Aglossa pinguinalis is larger, grayer and has darker hindwings. The members of this genus belong to the Family Pyralidae, Subfamily Pyralinae, Tribe Pyralini.
Life History
No information available.
Conservation
Known from a single Alberta collection.
Diet Info
Unknown. Possibly a scavenger like Aglossa caprealis.
Range
A New World species, generally distributed in the United States. Not reported from Alberta by Bowman (1951). A single specimen was collected at light at Tolman Bridge on August 9, 2002. It was determined by Dr. Brian…
A New World species, generally distributed in the United States. Not reported from Alberta by Bowman (1951). A single specimen was collected at light at Tolman Bridge on August 9, 2002. It was determined by Dr. Brian Scholtens, who also provided helpful comments about the species.
Citation
Page Citation for Aglossa cuprina
Page Citation
"Species Details - Aglossa cuprina, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-25357. Accessed 06 Apr. 2025.
References
Author
Covell, C. V., Jr.
Title
A field guide to the moths of eastern North America.
Publication Date
1984
Pages
496
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
Forbes, W.T.M.
Title
Lepidoptera of New York and Neighboring States. Primitive Forms, Microlepidoptera, Pyraloids, Bombyces.
Publication Date
1923
Series Title
Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station. Memoir
Volume
68
Pages
1-729
Specimen Information
There are 2 specimens of this Species.
BIRD4982 - Aglossa cuprina
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Tolman Bridge
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2002-08-09
JD4644 - Aglossa cuprina
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedUnited States: Mississippi, Lafayette county, Malone
Collected ByDombroskie, J. J.; Lawrie, D.
Date Collected2008-06-23