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Species Details
Drasteria petricola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameLittle Arches
SeasonalityAdult flight peaks between mid May and mid July, earlier at lower elevations.
IdentificationThe smallest of the Arches (Drasteria) moths. In Alberta, it is the only species in the genus with black lines along the veins of the ventral forewing margin. The mountain populations (ssp. athabasca) tend to be slightly larger and have a more yellow-tan cast to the hindwing compared to the prairie populations (ssp. crokeri). Prairie individuals can be strikingly different with their blue-grey and white colouration, and Barnes and Benjamin (1924) thought these differences may be indicative of a separate species; Individuals from the Calgary and Lethbridge region seem to be intermediate between the two forms, but more work is needed to clarify this situation.
Scientific Name
Drasteria petricola
Common Name
Little Arches
Habitat
Sparsely vegetated, open habitats, including alpine and montane meadows and prairie grasslands.
Seasonality
Adult flight peaks between mid May and mid July, earlier at lower elevations.
Identification
The smallest of the Arches (Drasteria) moths. In Alberta, it is the only species in the genus with black lines along the veins of the ventral forewing margin. The mountain populations (ssp. athabasca) tend to be…
The smallest of the Arches (Drasteria) moths. In Alberta, it is the only species in the genus with black lines along the veins of the ventral forewing margin. The mountain populations (ssp. athabasca) tend to be slightly larger and have a more yellow-tan cast to the hindwing compared to the prairie populations (ssp. crokeri). Prairie individuals can be strikingly different with their blue-grey and white colouration, and Barnes and Benjamin (1924) thought these differences may be indicative of a separate species; Individuals from the Calgary and Lethbridge region seem to be intermediate between the two forms, but more work is needed to clarify this situation.
Life History
Adults are diurnal and do not come to light. They can be difficult to detect and observe with their rapid flight and contrasting black and white coloration.
Conservation
Not of concern.
Diet Info
The larvae feed on Hedysarum (Lafontaine & Wood 1997). Adults take nectar at flowers, including mint in Utah (Richards 1939).
Range
A western species, found from the Yukon and NWT south to New Mexico in the Rockies, east to Manitoba (Lafontaine & Wood 1997).
Citation
Page Citation for Drasteria petricola
Page Citation
"Species Details - Drasteria petricola, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-2915/9-248644. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
References
Author
Lafontaine, J. Donald and D. M. Wood
Title
Insects of the Yukon.
Publication Date
1997
Pages
723-785
Specimen Information
There are 77 specimens of this Species.
UASM185429 - Drasteria petricola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Didsbury
Date Collected1986-06-01
UASM185430 - Drasteria petricola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Kananaskis Country, Hailstone Butte
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected1998-07-25
UASM185431 - Drasteria petricola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Pink Mountain
Collected ByTroubridge, J.; Troubridge, L.
Date Collected1990-06-15/1990-06-22
UASM185432 - Drasteria petricola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Okanagan Falls
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected1990-07-05/1990-07-10
UASM185433 - Drasteria petricola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Okanagan Falls
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected1990-07-05/1990-07-10
UASM185434 - Drasteria petricola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Jasper National Park
Collected ByDombroskie, J. J.; Schmidt, C.
Date Collected2006-05-17
UASM185435 - Drasteria petricola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Yukon Territory, Lake Laberge
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected1992-06-20/1992-06-22
UASM185436 - Drasteria petricola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Beaver Mines Lake
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected1999-05-23
UASM185437 - Drasteria petricola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Dutch Creek Provincial Recreation Area
Collected ByNummi, W. O.
Date Collected1958-06-08
UASM185438 - Drasteria petricola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Kananaskis Country, Moose Mountain
Collected BySperling, F.
Date Collected2003-07-06
UASM185439 - Drasteria petricola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Kananaskis Country, Moose Mountain
Collected BySperling, F.
Date Collected2003-07-06
UASM185440 - Drasteria petricola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Tolman Bridge Recreational Area
Collected BySchmidt, C.
Date Collected2001-06-01
UASM185441 - Drasteria petricola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Jasper National Park, Moberly Flats
Date Collected2001-06-24
UASM185442 - Drasteria petricola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Kananaskis Country, Hailstone Butte
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected1999-06-18
UASM185443 - Drasteria petricola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Kananaskis Country, Hailstone Butte
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected1999-06-18
UASM185444 - Drasteria petricola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Cardinal Divide
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected1999-07-18
UASM185445 - Drasteria petricola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Cardinal Divide
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected1999-07-18
UASM185446 - Drasteria petricola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected1999-06-15
UASM185447 - Drasteria petricola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected1999-06-15
UASM185448 - Drasteria petricola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected1999-06-15
UASM185449 - Drasteria petricola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Saskatchewan, Cypress Hills, Pine Cree Regional Park
Collected ByAnweiler, G.
Date Collected1996-07-01