Species Details
Schinia villosa
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameLittle Dark Gem
SeasonalityAdults are on the wing in late July and August.
IdentificationA small (2.0 cm wingspan) dark red-brown day-flying moth with indistinct lighter mottled pattern on the forewing. Hindwing similar, but darker and with three indistinct pale spots in the basal half. The darkest of the Alberta Flower Moths except for M. immortua, which flies in spring.
Scientific Name
Schinia villosa
Common Name
Little Dark Gem
Habitat
Native prairie and montane grasslands.
Seasonality
Adults are on the wing in late July and August.
Identification
A small (2.0 cm wingspan) dark red-brown day-flying moth with indistinct lighter mottled pattern on the forewing. Hindwing similar, but darker and with three indistinct pale spots in the basal half. The darkest of…
A small (2.0 cm wingspan) dark red-brown day-flying moth with indistinct lighter mottled pattern on the forewing. Hindwing similar, but darker and with three indistinct pale spots in the basal half. The darkest of the Alberta Flower Moths except for M. immortua, which flies in spring.
Life History
Adults are diurnal. The larvae feed mainly on the developing seeds of the host, and are also reported to be extremely cannibalistic.
Conservation
No immediate concerns.
Diet Info
No Alberta data. Elsewhere, the primary host is reported to be species of Fleabanes (Erigeron sp.). Eucephalus ledophyllus is also listed as a host plant (Crumb, 1956)
Range
Primarily a western mountain species, however it has also been found across the plains eastward across Alberta and Saskatchewan to southern Manitoba. West to the coast ranges of Washington and BC, south to Arizona. In…
Primarily a western mountain species, however it has also been found across the plains eastward across Alberta and Saskatchewan to southern Manitoba. West to the coast ranges of Washington and BC, south to Arizona. In Alberta, it has been collected in the foothills west of Calgary and in the Drumheller and Edmonton regions.
Citation
Page Citation for Schinia villosa
Page Citation
"Species Details - Schinia villosa, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-289. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
References
Author
Hardwick, D. F.
Title
A monograph to the North American Heliothentinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).
Publication Date
1996
Pages
281
Specimen Information
There are 11 specimens of this Species.
UASM57902 - Schinia villosa
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary
Collected ByHardwick, D. F.
Date Collected1960-07-18
UASM99098 - Schinia villosa
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Lethbridge
Collected ByByers, B.
Date Collected1984-07-13
USNMENT00157330 - Schinia villosa
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedUnited States: Colorado, Douglas county, Pike National Forest
Collected ByHarp, C.; Harp, C. L.
Date Collected2001-07-18
USNMENT00157336 - Schinia villosa
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedUnited States: Colorado, Douglas county, Pike National Forest
Collected ByHarp, C.; Harp, Chris
Date Collected2001-07-06
USNMENT00157337 - Schinia villosa
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedUnited States: Colorado, Douglas county, Pike National Forest
Collected ByHarp, C.
Date Collected2002-07-15
USNMENT00157338 - Schinia villosa
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedUnited States: Colorado, Douglas county, Pike National Forest
Collected ByHarp, C.; Harp, Chris
Date Collected2002-07-12
USNMENT00157340 - Schinia villosa
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedUnited States: Colorado, Douglas county, Pike National Forest
Collected ByHarp, C.
Date Collected2002-07-15
USNMENT00157343 - Schinia villosa
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedUnited States: Colorado, Douglas county, Pike National Forest
Collected ByHarp, C.; Harp, Chris
Date Collected2001-07-20
USNMENT00157346 - Schinia villosa
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedUnited States: Colorado, Douglas county, Pike National Forest
Collected ByHarp, C.; Harp, C. L.
Date Collected2001-07-18
USNMENT00157347 - Schinia villosa
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedUnited States: Colorado, Douglas county, Pike National Forest
Collected ByHarp, C.; Harp, Chris
Date Collected2001-07-20
USNMENT00157352 - Schinia villosa
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedUnited States: Colorado, Douglas county, Pike National Forest
Collected ByHarp, C.
Date Collected2001-07-14