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Species Details

Protitame virginalis

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

Common NameThe Virgin SeasonalityThe peak adult flight occurs throughout June. IdentificationOne of a number of similar looking, faintly marked white geometroid moths. The wings are cream-white and unmarked except for a fine specking of brown scales, particularly along the costa. No trace of discal spots or transverse lines. Very similar to Cabera variolaria, but in virginalis the male anntenal pectinations are much shorter, the frons (face) is cream not yellow and white, and the forelegs are grey not tan. Eudeilinea herminiata (Drepanidae) is similar but lacks any trace of the tan-scaled speckling. Subspecies hulstiaria Taylor has reduced speckling and a visible PM line; once treated as specifically distinct from virginalis, McGuffin (1972) considered it a clinal form of virginalis. Whether form hulstaria occurs in the southwest Alberta mountains remains to be documented; Prentice (1963) shows it occuring in BC east to the AB border.
Scientific Name Protitame virginalis Common Name The Virgin Habitat Mesic deciduous and mixedwood forests. Seasonality The peak adult flight occurs throughout June. Identification
One of a number of similar looking, faintly marked white geometroid moths. The wings are cream-white and unmarked except for a fine specking of brown scales, particularly along the costa. No trace of discal spots or…
One of a number of similar looking, faintly marked white geometroid moths. The wings are cream-white and unmarked except for a fine specking of brown scales, particularly along the costa. No trace of discal spots or transverse lines. Very similar to Cabera variolaria, but in virginalis the male anntenal pectinations are much shorter, the frons (face) is cream not yellow and white, and the forelegs are grey not tan. Eudeilinea herminiata (Drepanidae) is similar but lacks any trace of the tan-scaled speckling. Subspecies hulstiaria Taylor has reduced speckling and a visible PM line; once treated as specifically distinct from virginalis, McGuffin (1972) considered it a clinal form of virginalis. Whether form hulstaria occurs in the southwest Alberta mountains remains to be documented; Prentice (1963) shows it occuring in BC east to the AB border.
Life History McGuffin (1972) details the immature stages. Adults come to light and are often common. Conservation Not of concern. Diet Info Larvae prefer trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides), but also feed on other poplars and willows (Salix spp.) (Prentice 1963). Range Nova Scotia to BC and southern NWT, south to Colorado (McGuffin 1972).

Citation

Page Citation for Protitame virginalis

Page Citation

"Protitame virginalis, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-3896. Accessed 16 Oct. 2021.

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom Animalia Phylum Arthropoda Class Hexapoda Subclass Insecta Order Lepidoptera Suborder Ditrysia Superfamily Geometroidea Family Geometridae Subfamily Ennominae Tribe Abraxini Genus Protitame Species Protitame virginalis
This hierarchy is created from our museum records, it may not always accurately reflect modern taxonomies.

Taxonomic Hierarchy for University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum