Species Details
Drasteria perplexa
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NamePerplexing Arches
SeasonalityAdults are on the wing from late May into June.
IdentificationForewing brown-grey with a paler postmedian patch; AM bad not discernible, with the basal half of the forewing concolourous. Marginal area paler brown-grey. Hindwing orange with a black margin and postmedian band, black discal crescent reduced and generally not connected to PM band.
The even, unmarked basal half of the forewing and ochre-orange hindwing distinguish the Perplexed Arches from other species in the province.
Scientific Name
Drasteria perplexa
Common Name
Perplexing Arches
Habitat
Dry, short-grass prairie.
Seasonality
Adults are on the wing from late May into June.
Identification
Forewing brown-grey with a paler postmedian patch; AM bad not discernible, with the basal half of the forewing concolourous. Marginal area paler brown-grey. Hindwing orange with a black margin and postmedian band,…
Forewing brown-grey with a paler postmedian patch; AM bad not discernible, with the basal half of the forewing concolourous. Marginal area paler brown-grey. Hindwing orange with a black margin and postmedian band, black discal crescent reduced and generally not connected to PM band.
The even, unmarked basal half of the forewing and ochre-orange hindwing distinguish the Perplexed Arches from other species in the province.
Life History
Comes to light, and not known to be day-active. This species has a local occurrence in Alberta, and is known only from the southern prairie region.
Conservation
Limited distribution in Canada.
Diet Info
Unknown.
Range
Alberta south to AZ (Richards 1939). Hooper (1990) states there is a specimen from Estuary, SK in the CNC but I was unable to locate this specimen; nonetheless, perplexa should occur in SK. Known as far north as the…
Alberta south to AZ (Richards 1939). Hooper (1990) states there is a specimen from Estuary, SK in the CNC but I was unable to locate this specimen; nonetheless, perplexa should occur in SK. Known as far north as the Red Deer River badlands east of Trochu, AB.
Citation
Page Citation for Drasteria perplexa
Page Citation
"Species Details - Drasteria perplexa, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-2914. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
References
Author
Hooper, R. R.
Title
Checklist of Saskatchewan Moths. Part 6: Looper Moths
Publication Date
1990
Series Title
Blue Jay
Volume
48
Pages
136-138
Specimen Information
There are 4 specimens of this Species.
UASM19679 - Drasteria perplexa
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2000-06-28/2000-06-29
UASM19680 - Drasteria perplexa
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2000-06-28/2000-06-29
UASM34542 - Drasteria perplexa
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.; Troubridge, J.
Date Collected2000-06-28/2000-06-29
UASM34838 - Drasteria perplexa
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.; Troubridge, J.
Date Collected2000-06-28/2000-06-29