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Species Details
Protodeltote albidula
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameCommon Midget
SeasonalityAdults have been collected in Alberta from late May through August, with the peak in June.
IdentificationA small (2.0-2.2 cm.) pale almost unmarked broad-winged little moth easily mistaken for a small geometrid moth or one of the deltoid noctuids, i.e. Zanclognatha. The forewings are dull white mottled with very pale yellow-brown and a with a light brown fringe with a few white scales at the veins. The hindwings are dull white with a light tan cast and with scattered light brown scales near the margin. The ventral surfaces zre darker, with the forewings in particular dusted with brown scales. The palps and legs are dusted with dark brown. The antennae are simple and the sexes are similar.
Scientific Name
Protodeltote albidula
Common Name
Common Midget
Habitat
Open mesic areas with tall grasses and other low vegetation.
Seasonality
Adults have been collected in Alberta from late May through August, with the peak in June.
Identification
A small (2.0-2.2 cm.) pale almost unmarked broad-winged little moth easily mistaken for a small geometrid moth or one of the deltoid noctuids, i.e. Zanclognatha. The forewings are dull white mottled with very pale…
A small (2.0-2.2 cm.) pale almost unmarked broad-winged little moth easily mistaken for a small geometrid moth or one of the deltoid noctuids, i.e. Zanclognatha. The forewings are dull white mottled with very pale yellow-brown and a with a light brown fringe with a few white scales at the veins. The hindwings are dull white with a light tan cast and with scattered light brown scales near the margin. The ventral surfaces zre darker, with the forewings in particular dusted with brown scales. The palps and legs are dusted with dark brown. The antennae are simple and the sexes are similar.
Life History
The adult flight period is long, and there may be at least a small second brood. The adults are easily flushed during the day, but also come to light at night.
Conservation
A common widespread species
Diet Info
No Alberta data; elsewhere grasses (Rockburne and Lafontaine, 1976).
Range
Transcontinental, north to the Northwest Territories; in Alberta albidula occurs throughout the boreal forest, aspen parklands and foothills regions.
Notes
Formerly placed in the genus Lithacodia.
Citation
Page Citation for Protodeltote albidula
Page Citation
"Species Details - Protodeltote albidula, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-4443/9-50955. Accessed 27 Dec. 2024.
References
Author
Forbes, William T. M.
Title
Lepidoptera of New York & neighbouring states : Part 3
Publication Date
1954
Series Title
Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station. Memoir
Author
Rockbourne, E.W. and J.D. Lafontaine
Title
The cutworm moths of Ontario and Quebec
Publication Date
1976
Author
Rings, R. W.; Metzler, E. H; Arnold, F. J. and D. H. Harris
Title
The owlet moths of Ohio. Order Lepidoptera family Noctuidae.
Publication Date
1992
Series Title
Bulletin of the Ohio Biological Survey
Volume
9
Pages
219
Specimen Information
There are 179 specimens of this Species.
BIRD36895 - Protodeltote albidula
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2013-06-29
BIRD34170 - Protodeltote albidula
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Lowden Springs Conservation Area
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2010-07-17
BIRD37578 - Protodeltote albidula
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, J.J. Collett Natural Area
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2014-06-14
BIRD37579 - Protodeltote albidula
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2014-06-22
BIRD37580 - Protodeltote albidula
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2014-07-12
POHL-13-00984 - Protodeltote albidula
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Saskatchewan, Big River
Collected ByPohl, G. R.; Kutash, T. M.
Date Collected1995-06-14
POHL-13-00985 - Protodeltote albidula
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Sherwood Park
Collected ByPohl, G. R.
Date Collected1998-06-08
POHL-13-00986 - Protodeltote albidula
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Sherwood Park
Collected ByPohl, G. R.
Date Collected1998-06-29
POHL-13-00987 - Protodeltote albidula
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Sherwood Park
Collected ByPohl, G. R.
Date Collected1996-07-21
POHL-13-00988 - Protodeltote albidula
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Sherwood Park
Collected ByPohl, G. R.
Date Collected2010-06-18
BIRD37970 - Protodeltote albidula
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2015-06-20