Macaria sulphurea

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

Common NameSulphur Granite SeasonalityFlies in July and August, peaking in mid to late July. IdentificationRich cream-yellow with maroon brown markings, consisting of two to three wedge shaped spots along the forewing costa, prominent discal spots, and variable PM and submarginal lines. The forewing PM band is usually light and spotty, but always widens to a patch at the anal margin. Fringe entirely maroon-brown, unlike the similar M. occiduaria which has the dark forewing fringe restricted to the apex. Sexually dimorphic, females with slightly reduced wings, although not to the same extent as andersoni, simplex and occiduaria. Ferguson (1953) named the subspecies amboflava from western Canada (type locality Calgary) to describe our yellow populations, which are, according to Ferguson, quite distinct from the smaller, greyish eastern sulphurea.

Scientific Name Macaria sulphurea Common Name Sulphur Granite Habitat Prairie and parkland woods and shrubby habitats. Seasonality Flies in July and August, peaking in mid to late July. Identification

Rich cream-yellow with maroon brown markings, consisting of two to three wedge shaped spots along the forewing costa, prominent discal spots, and variable PM and submarginal lines. The forewing PM band is usually light and spotty, but always widens to a patch at the anal margin. Fringe entirely maroon-brown, unlike the similar M. occiduaria which has the dark forewing fringe restricted to the apex. Sexually dimorphic, females with slightly reduced wings, although not to the same extent as andersoni, simplex and occiduaria. Ferguson (1953) named the subspecies amboflava from western Canada (type locality Calgary) to describe our yellow populations, which are, according to Ferguson, quite distinct from the smaller, greyish eastern sulphurea.

Life History

The life history has not been recorded in detail. Mature larvae are light green with a slightly paler head and a cream dorsal and lateral stripe (Franklin 1907, cited in McGuffin 1972). In eastern North america this is a forest species associated with blueberry (Vaccinium) and sweet gale (Myrica gale). The western race prefers drier habitats, and is not found in association with these plants. The differences in adult size, colouration and habitat preferences between eastern and western populations suggests that they may be separate species.

Conservation Not of concern. Diet Info Unknown in western North America. Larva feed on Vaccinium and Myrica gale in eastern North America (Ferguson 1953; Forbes 1948). Range Nova Scotia west to BC, south to California and South Dakota (McGuffin 1972; Fauske 2003). Widespread in the parklands and grasslands in southern Alberta.

Page Citation

"Species Details - Macaria sulphurea, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-4243/9-15423. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.