Species Details
Hydrelia albifera
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameFragile White Carpet
SeasonalityIn Albert adults have been collected in June and early July.
IdentificationA very small (approximately 1.8 cm. wingspan) fragile broad-winged dull white moth. The wings are crossed by a series of five forewing and three hindwing bands comprised of a series of dull yellow-brown spots or blotches, giving it a checkerboard appearance. There are also small dark discal spots on all four wings. There is a narrow yellow-brown line across the frons. Antennae simple. Sexes similar. The small size and numerous spots should separate it from other small pale Alberta geometrids.
Scientific Name
Hydrelia albifera
Common Name
Fragile White Carpet
Habitat
Mature deciduous and mixedwood forest.
Seasonality
In Albert adults have been collected in June and early July.
Identification
A very small (approximately 1.8 cm. wingspan) fragile broad-winged dull white moth. The wings are crossed by a series of five forewing and three hindwing bands comprised of a series of dull yellow-brown spots or…
A very small (approximately 1.8 cm. wingspan) fragile broad-winged dull white moth. The wings are crossed by a series of five forewing and three hindwing bands comprised of a series of dull yellow-brown spots or blotches, giving it a checkerboard appearance. There are also small dark discal spots on all four wings. There is a narrow yellow-brown line across the frons. Antennae simple. Sexes similar. The small size and numerous spots should separate it from other small pale Alberta geometrids.
Life History
Few data. Adults are attracted to light. There is a single brood each year.
Conservation
No concerns
Diet Info
No Alberta data. Elsewhere larvae are reported to feed dogwoods (Cornus stolonifera and C. alternafolia) and less commonly on White birch (Betula papyrifera) (Handfield, 1999).
Range
Newfoundland to British Columbia, south in the east to the Gulf states. In Alberta the Fragile White Carpet has been collected along the southern boreal forest (Edmonton, Touchwood Lake).
Citation
Page Citation for Hydrelia albifera
Page Citation
"Species Details - Hydrelia albifera, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-4914. Accessed 07 May. 2025.
References
Author
Handfield, L.
Title
Le guide des papillons du Quebec.
Publication Date
1999
Pages
536
Specimen Information
There are 29 specimens of this Species.
UASM11405 - Hydrelia albifera
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Date Collected1918-06-08
UASM11406 - Hydrelia albifera
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1940-06-16
UASM11407 - Hydrelia albifera
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Date Collected1917-06-24
UASM11409 - Hydrelia albifera
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1940-06-16
UASM11410 - Hydrelia albifera
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1919-06-28
UASM11411 - Hydrelia albifera
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1928-06-09
UASM11412 - Hydrelia albifera
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1928-06-13
UASM11413 - Hydrelia albifera
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1928-06-16
UASM11414 - Hydrelia albifera
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Date Collected1918-06-06
UASM11415 - Hydrelia albifera
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1917-06-13
UASM11417 - Hydrelia albifera
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Date Collected1918-06-10
UASM11418 - Hydrelia albifera
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1922-06-02
UASM11420 - Hydrelia albifera
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Date Collected1917-06-24
UASM11421 - Hydrelia albifera
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1918-06-04
UASM11422 - Hydrelia albifera
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Date Collected1917-06-29
UASM11423 - Hydrelia albifera
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1928-06-16
UASM58127 - Hydrelia albifera
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2004-07-11
BIRD4747 - Hydrelia albifera
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, McKenzie Crossing
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2000-07-16
BIRD4748 - Hydrelia albifera
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2002-07-20
BIRD4749 - Hydrelia albifera
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2002-07-14
BIRD20621 - Hydrelia albifera
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Stettler
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2007-06-26