Species Details

Heliothis oregonica

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

Common NameOregon Gem SeasonalityAdults are on the wing from mid-June to mid-August. IdentificationA rather small moth (wingspans 2.4-3.0 cm). Forewing pale olive brown, mostly overlaid with a blackish olive brown scales. Basal area and a thick rounded basal streak dark reddish black. The orbicular and reniform large and prominent against the paler ground, frequently fused. A broad olive-black terminal band, with the subterminal and terminal areas separated by a thin, faint stripe. The hindwing is creamy white, with a large black discal mark and some dark scaling along the inner margin and basal areas, and a wide black terminal band with a small, indistinct pale patch near the anal angle. Superficially very similar to H. ononis, but darker and less contrasting. H. ononis also lacks the large dark orbicular spot present in oregonica. H. phloxiphaga is larger and much paler yellow-tan.

Scientific Name Heliothis oregonica Common Name Oregon Gem Habitat Montane meadows and prairie grasslands. Seasonality Adults are on the wing from mid-June to mid-August. Identification
A rather small moth (wingspans 2.4-3.0 cm). Forewing pale olive brown, mostly overlaid with a blackish olive brown scales. Basal area and a thick rounded basal streak dark reddish black. The orbicular and reniform…
A rather small moth (wingspans 2.4-3.0 cm). Forewing pale olive brown, mostly overlaid with a blackish olive brown scales. Basal area and a thick rounded basal streak dark reddish black. The orbicular and reniform large and prominent against the paler ground, frequently fused. A broad olive-black terminal band, with the subterminal and terminal areas separated by a thin, faint stripe. The hindwing is creamy white, with a large black discal mark and some dark scaling along the inner margin and basal areas, and a wide black terminal band with a small, indistinct pale patch near the anal angle. Superficially very similar to H. ononis, but darker and less contrasting. H. ononis also lacks the large dark orbicular spot present in oregonica. H. phloxiphaga is larger and much paler yellow-tan.
Life History The Oregon Gem is mainly a species of the mountains and foothills. The adults are diurnal. Like other members of the genus, they feed on a variety of low plants, eating the flowers and developing seeds. Conservation No concerns. Diet Info
No Alberta data. Like most members of the genus, it is reported to utilize a number of low plant species. Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja) appears to be a favored host; Artemesia and Geranium have also been reported in…
No Alberta data. Like most members of the genus, it is reported to utilize a number of low plant species. Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja) appears to be a favored host; Artemesia and Geranium have also been reported in the literature.
Range
Western; from the Peace River area of Alberta south and west in the mountains to California and Arizona. There is also an apparently disjunct population in north central Quebec. In Alberta found throughout the…
Western; from the Peace River area of Alberta south and west in the mountains to California and Arizona. There is also an apparently disjunct population in north central Quebec. In Alberta found throughout the mountains, and east to Edmonton and into the Peace River District.
Heliothis oregonica
Heliothis oregonica

Citation

Page Citation for Heliothis oregonica

Page Citation

"Species Details - Heliothis oregonica, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-275. Accessed 02 Nov. 2024.

References

Specimen Information

There are 18 specimens of this Species.

18 results plotted on map in 6 markers.
Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.

UASM18826 - Heliothis oregonica

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Milk River Collected ByStrickland, Edgar H. Date Collected1951-07-04

UASM18828 - Heliothis oregonica

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Date Collected1920-07-08

UASM18829 - Heliothis oregonica

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Date Collected1915-06-16

UASM18830 - Heliothis oregonica

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1919-05-27

UASM18831 - Heliothis oregonica

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1919-05-25

UASM18832 - Heliothis oregonica

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1918-06-09

UASM18834 - Heliothis oregonica

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1918-06-09

UASM18835 - Heliothis oregonica

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1918-06-09

UASM18836 - Heliothis oregonica

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1919-05-25

UASM18838 - Heliothis oregonica

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1919-05-25

UASM18840 - Heliothis oregonica

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1918-07-24

UASM18844 - Heliothis oregonica

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1919-05-27

UASM18845 - Heliothis oregonica

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1918-06-09

UASM18846 - Heliothis oregonica

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Hillcrest Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1923-06-25

UASM18847 - Heliothis oregonica

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1918-06-09

UASM18848 - Heliothis oregonica

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1918-06-09

JD2257 - Heliothis oregonica

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Tranquille Ecological Reserve Collected ByDombroskie, J. J.; Whitehouse, C. Date Collected2007-06-01

JD2702 - Heliothis oregonica

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedUnited States: Idaho, Bear Lake county, Georgetown Collected ByDombroskie, J. J. et al Date Collected2007-07-04

Adult Seasonal Distribution