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Species Details

Selenia kentaria

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

Common NameKent's Thorn SeasonalityIn Alberta they fly from late April to mid June, peaking in the latter half of May. IdentificationThis large and fairly robust geometrid moth mimics wilted leaves with its jagged rust and brown wings. Ground colour pale-tan, with brighter rust shades at the wing margins and a pinkish white shade along the forewing costa; three dark brown transverse lines. Slightly larger and paler than the very similar S. alciphearia; kentaria has a more jagged postmedian (PM) line on both wings (best seen on the underside). The forewing PM line in kentaria has a more pronounced indentation midway, and the hindwing PM line is more irregular and slightly curved outwardly (straight or nearly so in alciphearia). The enitalia of some specimens must be examined for positive identification (see McGuffin, 1987).

Scientific Name Selenia kentaria Common Name Kent's Thorn Habitat Mixedwood and deciduous forests and woodlands. Seasonality In Alberta they fly from late April to mid June, peaking in the latter half of May. Identification
This large and fairly robust geometrid moth mimics wilted leaves with its jagged rust and brown wings. Ground colour pale-tan, with brighter rust shades at the wing margins and a pinkish white shade along the forewing…
This large and fairly robust geometrid moth mimics wilted leaves with its jagged rust and brown wings. Ground colour pale-tan, with brighter rust shades at the wing margins and a pinkish white shade along the forewing costa; three dark brown transverse lines. Slightly larger and paler than the very similar S. alciphearia; kentaria has a more jagged postmedian (PM) line on both wings (best seen on the underside). The forewing PM line in kentaria has a more pronounced indentation midway, and the hindwing PM line is more irregular and slightly curved outwardly (straight or nearly so in alciphearia). The enitalia of some specimens must be examined for positive identification (see McGuffin, 1987).
Life History The larvae are amazing twig mimics in colouration, texture and shape, to the point where white patches resemble bark lichen. Pupae hibernate (Wagner et al. 2001). Conservation No concerns. Diet Info
Several hardwood trees are the reported larval hosts (Prentice 1963, Wagner et al. 2001); of these, birch (Betula) is the only species native to Alberta. May feed on cherry (Prunus spp.) in the east-central part of…
Several hardwood trees are the reported larval hosts (Prentice 1963, Wagner et al. 2001); of these, birch (Betula) is the only species native to Alberta. May feed on cherry (Prunus spp.) in the east-central part of the province.
Range Central Alberta east to Nova Scotia, south to GA, AL, AR, MS (Wagner et al. 2001, McGuffin 1987). McGuffin (1987) reported it as far west as Saskatchewan.
Selenia kentaria
Selenia kentaria

Citation

Page Citation for Selenia kentaria

Page Citation

"Species Details - Selenia kentaria, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-4505/9-14873. Accessed 13 Dec. 2024.

References

Specimen Information

There are 54 specimens of this Species.

54 results plotted on map in 17 markers.
Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.

UASM24041 - Selenia kentaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edgerton Collected ByAnweiler, G. G. Date Collected2002-06-01/2002-06-02

UASM43305 - Selenia kentaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta Collected ByLawrie, D. Date Collected1995-06-05

BIRD3557 - Selenia kentaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2000-05-26

BIRD3558 - Selenia kentaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2000-06-06

BIRD3559 - Selenia kentaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2001-04-27

BIRD3560 - Selenia kentaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2001-05-12

BIRD3561 - Selenia kentaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2001-05-13

BIRD3562 - Selenia kentaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2001-05-13

BIRD3563 - Selenia kentaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Big Knife Provincial Park Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2001-05-23

BIRD3564 - Selenia kentaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2001-05-25

BIRD3565 - Selenia kentaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2001-05-26

BIRD3566 - Selenia kentaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, J.J. Collett Natural Area Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2002-05-28

BIRD3567 - Selenia kentaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Buffalo Lake Provincial Recreation Area Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2002-05-29

BIRD3568 - Selenia kentaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2002-06-01

BIRD3569 - Selenia kentaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2002-06-08

BIRD3570 - Selenia kentaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2002-06-10

BIRD3571 - Selenia kentaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2002-06-15

BIRD3572 - Selenia kentaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Rochon Sands Provincial Park Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2003-05-28

UASM57995 - Selenia kentaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByAnweiler, G. G. Date Collected2004-05-16

UASM57996 - Selenia kentaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByAnweiler, G. G. Date Collected2004-05-19

BIRD6935 - Selenia kentaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Rochon Sands Provincial Park Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2004-05-08

Adult Seasonal Distribution