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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
"Species Details - Protitame virginalis, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-3896/9-86755. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.
References
Author
Prentice, R. M.
Title
Forest Lepidoptera of Canada. (1963)
Publication Date
1963
Volume
3
Pages
281
Author
McGuffin, W. C.
Title
Guide to the Geometridae of Canada. II. Subfamily Ennominae. 1.
Publication Date
1972
Series Title
Memoirs of the Entomological Society of Canada
Volume
86
Pages
159
Specimen Information
There are 100 specimens of this Species.
BIRD3056 - Protitame virginalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Big Knife Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2003-07-30
BIRD3766 - Protitame virginalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Delburne
Collected ByPotter, J.
Date Collected2002-07-07
BIRD6708 - Protitame virginalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, J.J. Collett Natural Area
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2004-05-30
BIRD6709 - Protitame virginalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Buffalo Lake Provincial Recreation Area
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2004-06-04
BIRD6710 - Protitame virginalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Buffalo Lake Provincial Recreation Area
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2004-06-04
BIRD6711 - Protitame virginalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Buffalo Lake Provincial Recreation Area
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2004-06-04
BIRD6712 - Protitame virginalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2004-06-08
BIRD6713 - Protitame virginalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Rochon Sands Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2004-06-09
BIRD6714 - Protitame virginalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2004-06-19
BIRD6715 - Protitame virginalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2004-06-19
BIRD6716 - Protitame virginalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2004-06-19
BIRD6717 - Protitame virginalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2004-06-20
BIRD6718 - Protitame virginalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Rochon Sands Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2004-06-27
BIRD6719 - Protitame virginalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Big Knife Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2004-06-22
BIRD6720 - Protitame virginalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2004-07-18
BIRD6721 - Protitame virginalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2004-07-18
UASM58476 - Protitame virginalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Buffalo
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2005-06-16
CBCC1096 - Protitame virginalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Waterton Lakes National Park
Collected ByChristensen, C. B.
Date Collected2005-07-08
BIRD16176 - Protitame virginalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2005-05-28
BIRD16177 - Protitame virginalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Rochon Sands Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2005-05-31
BIRD16178 - Protitame virginalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Rochon Sands Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2005-05-31