Species Details
Sympistis heliophila
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
SeasonalityIn Alberta, adults have been collected in mid-June.
IdentificationA small (2.3-2.4 cm wingspan) dark grey-black diurnal moth. The forewings are mottled or grizzled dark grey and black, with small faint pale orbicular and reniform spots and a checkered fringe. The hindwings are bright white with a broad black terminal band and white fringe, and some grey scaling in the basal area. Similar to the sympatric and also diurnal Heliothis borealis, which has solid black in the basal area of the hindwing, and evenly colored (not grizzled) dark black-brown forewings.
Scientific Name
Sympistis heliophila
Habitat
Subarctic; open bogs, open dry woodland and clearings.
Seasonality
In Alberta, adults have been collected in mid-June.
Identification
A small (2.3-2.4 cm wingspan) dark grey-black diurnal moth. The forewings are mottled or grizzled dark grey and black, with small faint pale orbicular and reniform spots and a checkered fringe. The hindwings are…
A small (2.3-2.4 cm wingspan) dark grey-black diurnal moth. The forewings are mottled or grizzled dark grey and black, with small faint pale orbicular and reniform spots and a checkered fringe. The hindwings are bright white with a broad black terminal band and white fringe, and some grey scaling in the basal area. Similar to the sympatric and also diurnal Heliothis borealis, which has solid black in the basal area of the hindwing, and evenly colored (not grizzled) dark black-brown forewings.
Life History
Adults are active during the day. They have a very fast buzzing flight making them very difficult to capture. There is a single annual brood.
Conservation
Rare in Alberta; fairly common and widespread in the holarctic arctic-subarctic.
Diet Info
No North American data. In Europe reported to utilize Empetrum nigrum, Vaccinium uliginosum, and V. myrtillus as larval hosts, all of which are present in Alberta.
Range
Holarctic. In North America reported from Yukon, NWT, and in northern Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec. In Alberta recorded only from the Caribou Mountains, at Wentzel and Pichimi Lakes.
Citation
Page Citation for Sympistis heliophila
Page Citation
"Species Details - Sympistis heliophila, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-3731. Accessed 21 Sep. 2023.
References
Author
Handfield, L.
Title
Le guide des papillons du Quebec.
Publication Date
1999
Pages
536
Specimen Information
There are 8 specimens of this Species.
UASM58420 - Sympistis heliophila
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Limestone Creek
Collected BySchmidt, B. C.
Date Collected2004-08-05
UASM56951 - Sympistis heliophila
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Caribou Mountains Wildland Park, Wentzel Lake
Collected ByHilchie, G. J.; Hilchie, J. S.
Date Collected2003-07-09/2003-07-11
UASM56952 - Sympistis heliophila
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Caribou Mountains Wildland Park, Wentzel Lake
Collected ByMacaulay, D.; Dunne, S.
Date Collected2003-07-06
UASM56953 - Sympistis heliophila
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Caribou Mountains Wildland Park, Wentzel Lake
Collected ByJohnson, T.
Date Collected2003-07-08
UASM78244 - Sympistis heliophila
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Birch Mountains Wildland Provincial Park, Gardiner Lakes
Collected ByMacaulay, D. A.; Macaulay, S. H.
Date Collected2004-07-14
UASM78245 - Sympistis heliophila
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Birch Mountains Wildland Provincial Park, Gardiner Lakes
Collected ByMacaulay, D. A.; Macaulay, S. H.
Date Collected2004-07-16
UASM78247 - Sympistis heliophila
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Birch Mountains Wildland Provincial Park, Gardiner Lakes
Collected ByMacaulay, D. A.; Macaulay, S. H.
Date Collected2004-07-16
UASM59662 - Sympistis heliophila
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Caribou Mountains Wildland Park, Wentzel Lake
Collected BySchmidt, B. C.
Date Collected2006-06-16