Species Details

Probole alienaria

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

Common NameAlien Probole SeasonalityPeak flight activity in Alberta is in late May. IdentificationThis small geometrid is pale tan in ground colour with heavy brown markings, consisting of antemedian (AM) and postmedian (PM) lines, dark marginal shading, discal spots and often black marginal blotches. Probole are best recognized by the extended outward toothlike projection of the forewing PM line. Virtually identical to (and previously considered to be conspecific with) P. amicaria. The distinguishing trait in wing markings is the angle of the PM line above the "tooth": it is perpendicular to the wing margin where it meets the edge in alienaria, while in amicaria the line is directed more toward the wing apex, and is essentially perpendicualr to the anal (not the costal) margin. Some have treated P. aienaria and amicaria as forms of the same species (eg. McGuffin 1987). Ferguson (in Hodges 1981) treats them as separate species, and according to Handfield (1999), alienaria is a generalist feeder on deciduous shrubs while amicaria feeds only on species of dogwood (Cornus). There also appear to be differences in the male antennal structure among some populations, at least in eastern North America (Handfield 1999). This interesting situation certainly warrants further research in Alberta.

Scientific Name Probole alienaria Common Name Alien Probole Habitat Deciduous and mixedwood forests, woodlands and shrubby areas. Seasonality Peak flight activity in Alberta is in late May. Identification
This small geometrid is pale tan in ground colour with heavy brown markings, consisting of antemedian (AM) and postmedian (PM) lines, dark marginal shading, discal spots and often black marginal blotches. Probole are…
This small geometrid is pale tan in ground colour with heavy brown markings, consisting of antemedian (AM) and postmedian (PM) lines, dark marginal shading, discal spots and often black marginal blotches. Probole are best recognized by the extended outward toothlike projection of the forewing PM line. Virtually identical to (and previously considered to be conspecific with) P. amicaria. The distinguishing trait in wing markings is the angle of the PM line above the "tooth": it is perpendicular to the wing margin where it meets the edge in alienaria, while in amicaria the line is directed more toward the wing apex, and is essentially perpendicualr to the anal (not the costal) margin. Some have treated P. aienaria and amicaria as forms of the same species (eg. McGuffin 1987). Ferguson (in Hodges 1981) treats them as separate species, and according to Handfield (1999), alienaria is a generalist feeder on deciduous shrubs while amicaria feeds only on species of dogwood (Cornus). There also appear to be differences in the male antennal structure among some populations, at least in eastern North America (Handfield 1999). This interesting situation certainly warrants further research in Alberta.
Life History
The caterpillar is a twig mimic, and extremely variable in colouration, ranging from green to reddish or tan and brown. The pupa overwinters (Wagner et al. 2001). Adults come to light, but are also diurnal. Not…
The caterpillar is a twig mimic, and extremely variable in colouration, ranging from green to reddish or tan and brown. The pupa overwinters (Wagner et al. 2001). Adults come to light, but are also diurnal. Not uncommon in forest habitats with a diverse shrubby understory.
Conservation Not of concern. Diet Info Larvae feed on a wide variety of deciduous trees and shrubs, and occasionally balsam fir (Abies) and tamarack (Larix)(Prentice 1963). Range BC east to Newfoundland, from Norman wells, NWT south to FL and the Pacific Northwest US (McGuffin 1987, Miller & Hammond 2000).

Citation

Page Citation for Probole alienaria

Page Citation

"Species Details - Probole alienaria, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-4567. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.

References

Specimen Information

There are 138 specimens of this Species.

138 results plotted on map in 42 markers.
Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.

UASM7112 - Probole alienaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Tofield Collected BySchmidt, B. C. Date Collected1999-05-27

UASM7280 - Probole alienaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Tofield Collected BySchmidt, B. C. Date Collected2000-06-13

UASM10300 - Probole alienaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Date Collected1917-05-21

UASM10375 - Probole alienaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1942-05-21

UASM10397 - Probole alienaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Date Collected1918-05-12

UASM10447 - Probole alienaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1919-05-20

UASM10450 - Probole alienaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Date Collected1916-06-03

UASM10498 - Probole alienaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Date Collected1917-05-21

UASM10575 - Probole alienaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Date Collected1917-05-31

UASM10672 - Probole alienaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1917-06-28

UASM10823 - Probole alienaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1919-05-24

UASM10847 - Probole alienaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Date Collected1918-06-03

UASM10898 - Probole alienaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Date Collected1915-05-29

UASM10899 - Probole alienaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1942-05-21

UASM43335 - Probole alienaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta Collected ByLawrie, D. Date Collected1998-06-17

UASM43336 - Probole alienaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta Collected ByLawrie, D. Date Collected1998-06-18

UASM43337 - Probole alienaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta Collected ByLawrie, D. Date Collected1995-06-10

UASM24875 - Probole alienaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByLawrie, D. Date Collected1995-06-09

UASM41552 - Probole alienaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Sandy Point Recreation Area Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.; Schmidt, B. C. Date Collected2000-05-19

BIRD3688 - Probole alienaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2000-06-04

BIRD3689 - Probole alienaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2000-06-17

Adult Seasonal Distribution