Species Details
Nepytia canosaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameFalse Hemlock Looper
SeasonalityAdults fly in late August and September in Alberta.
IdentificationWings grey-white heavily dusted with dark grey, median area slightly darker and bordered with scalloped, prominent AM and PM lines. Discal spots large. Slightly darker and smaller than the similar Cingilia caternaria. N. freemani is very similar, but lacks the yellow scales at the top of the head of canosaria; the ranges of the two do not overlap, with freemani strictly a foothills/mountain species in Alberta.
Scientific Name
Nepytia canosaria
Common Name
False Hemlock Looper
Habitat
Coniferous boreal forest.
Seasonality
Adults fly in late August and September in Alberta.
Identification
Wings grey-white heavily dusted with dark grey, median area slightly darker and bordered with scalloped, prominent AM and PM lines. Discal spots large. Slightly darker and smaller than the similar Cingilia caternaria.…
Wings grey-white heavily dusted with dark grey, median area slightly darker and bordered with scalloped, prominent AM and PM lines. Discal spots large. Slightly darker and smaller than the similar Cingilia caternaria. N. freemani is very similar, but lacks the yellow scales at the top of the head of canosaria; the ranges of the two do not overlap, with freemani strictly a foothills/mountain species in Alberta.
Life History
The caterpillar is boldly striped with green and yellow, a pattern helping it to blend in to the needles of its coniferous hosts. Pupates in a flimsy cocoon among host foliage. Adults are both diurnal and nocturnal…
The caterpillar is boldly striped with green and yellow, a pattern helping it to blend in to the needles of its coniferous hosts. Pupates in a flimsy cocoon among host foliage. Adults are both diurnal and nocturnal (McGuffin 1987).
Conservation
Not of concern.
Diet Info
Larvae feed on conifers, particularly balsam fir (Abies balsamaea) and white spruce (Picea glauca).
Range
Northeastern Alberta east to Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, south through New England.
Citation
Page Citation for Nepytia canosaria
Page Citation
"Species Details - Nepytia canosaria, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-4448. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
References
Author
Miller, J. C.
Title
Caterpillars of Pacific Northwest Forests and Woodlands
Publication Date
1995
Pages
80
Author
McGuffin, W. C.
Title
Guide to the Geometridae of Canada (Lepidoptera): II. Subfamily Ennominae, 4
Publication Date
1987
Series Title
Memoirs of the Entomological Society of Canada
Volume
138
Pages
182
Specimen Information
There are 8 specimens of this Species.
UASM24445 - Nepytia canosaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Fort McMurray
Collected ByMacaulay, D.; Dunne, S.
Date Collected2002-09-01
UASM24446 - Nepytia canosaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Fort McMurray
Collected ByMacaulay, D.; Dunne, S.
Date Collected2002-09-01
UASM24447 - Nepytia canosaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Fort McMurray
Collected ByMacaulay, D.; Dunne, S.
Date Collected2002-09-01
UASM24448 - Nepytia canosaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Fort McMurray
Collected ByMacaulay, D.; Dunne, S.
Date Collected2002-09-01
UASM41851 - Nepytia canosaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Athabasca Sand Dunes Wildland Provincial Park
Collected ByLawrie, D.; Macaulay, D.
Date Collected2000-08-23
UASM41912 - Nepytia canosaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Bitumount
Collected ByLawrie, D.; Macaulay, D
Date Collected2000-08-20
UASM41967 - Nepytia canosaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Vegreville
Collected ByChristensen, B.
Date Collected2001-08-15
BIRD3823 - Nepytia canosaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2003-08-15