Species Details
Schinia avemensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameGold-edged Gem
SeasonalityAdults fly in Alberta in late July and early August.
IdentificationA very small (1.6-1.8 cm wingspan) day-flying moth. The forewings are mottled red-brown and tan. There is an irregular pale yellow median band and a prominent yellow or pale tan streak on the upper part of the terminal area. The fringe is yellow-white, lightly checkered with brown. The abdomen and hindwings, including the fringe, are coal black.
Scientific Name
Schinia avemensis
Common Name
Gold-edged Gem
Habitat
Active dunes with annual sunflower colonies.
Seasonality
Adults fly in Alberta in late July and early August.
Identification
A very small (1.6-1.8 cm wingspan) day-flying moth. The forewings are mottled red-brown and tan. There is an irregular pale yellow median band and a prominent yellow or pale tan streak on the upper part of the…
A very small (1.6-1.8 cm wingspan) day-flying moth. The forewings are mottled red-brown and tan. There is an irregular pale yellow median band and a prominent yellow or pale tan streak on the upper part of the terminal area. The fringe is yellow-white, lightly checkered with brown. The abdomen and hindwings, including the fringe, are coal black.
Life History
Poorly known. Like all known Schinia, the larvae undoubtedly feed on the flowering parts and/or developing seeds of the host plant, in the case of avemensis an annual sunflower. Soon after emergence, which is timed to…
Poorly known. Like all known Schinia, the larvae undoubtedly feed on the flowering parts and/or developing seeds of the host plant, in the case of avemensis an annual sunflower. Soon after emergence, which is timed to coincide with the blooming of the host plant, pairs mate and can be found sitting in-copula on the flower heads of the host and adjacent plants. There is a single brood each year.
Conservation
Presently known in Canada only from single colonies in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Diet Info
The larval host is reported to be a native annual sunflower, Helianthus petiolaris Nuttall (Hardwick, 1996).
Range
Known from only three colonies in the southern prairie provinces of Canada; the Spirit Dunes at Spruce Woods Provincial Park, Manitoba, the Burstall dunes in southwestern Saskatchewan, and in a small dune complex in the…
Known from only three colonies in the southern prairie provinces of Canada; the Spirit Dunes at Spruce Woods Provincial Park, Manitoba, the Burstall dunes in southwestern Saskatchewan, and in a small dune complex in the Red Deer River valley north of Bindloss. It will probably also be found in other active dune complexes in the southern parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan. Also occurs in Colorado (Hardwick, 1996).
Citation
Page Citation for Schinia avemensis
Page Citation
"Species Details - Schinia avemensis, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-4915. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
References
Author
Hardwick, D. F.
Title
A monograph to the North American Heliothentinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).
Publication Date
1996
Pages
281
Specimen Information
There are 29 specimens of this Species.
UASM58414 - Schinia avemensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Medicine Hat
Collected ByStrickland, E. H.
Date Collected1939-08-13
UASM41301 - Schinia avemensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Pakowki Lake
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2005-07-21
UASM41302 - Schinia avemensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Pakowki Lake
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2005-07-21
UASM41303 - Schinia avemensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Pakowki Lake
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2005-07-21
UASM41304 - Schinia avemensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Pakowki Lake
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2005-07-21
UASM41305 - Schinia avemensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Pakowki Lake
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2005-07-21
UASM99409 - Schinia avemensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, CFB Suffield
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2008-08-11
UASM127934 - Schinia avemensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Bindloss
Collected BySchmidt, C.
Date Collected2004-07-27
UASM127935 - Schinia avemensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Manitoba, Spirit Dunes
Collected ByTroubridge, J.; Lafontaine
Date Collected2003-07-28
UASM127936 - Schinia avemensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Manitoba, Spirit Dunes
Collected ByTroubridge, J.; Lafontaine
Date Collected2003-07-28
UASM127937 - Schinia avemensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Manitoba, Spirit Dunes
Collected ByTroubridge, J.; Lafontaine
Date Collected2003-07-28
UASM127938 - Schinia avemensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Manitoba, Spirit Dunes
Collected ByTroubridge, J.; Lafontaine
Date Collected2003-07-28
UASM127939 - Schinia avemensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Manitoba, Spirit Dunes
Collected ByTroubridge, J.; Lafontaine
Date Collected2003-07-28
UASM127940 - Schinia avemensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Manitoba, Spirit Dunes
Collected ByTroubridge, J.; Lafontaine
Date Collected2003-07-28
UASM127941 - Schinia avemensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Manitoba, Spirit Dunes
Collected ByTroubridge, J.; Lafontaine
Date Collected2003-07-28
UASM127942 - Schinia avemensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Manitoba, Spirit Dunes
Collected ByTroubridge, J.; Lafontaine
Date Collected2003-07-28
UASM127943 - Schinia avemensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Manitoba, Spirit Dunes
Collected ByTroubridge, J.; Lafontaine
Date Collected2003-07-28
UASM127944 - Schinia avemensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Manitoba, Spirit Dunes
Collected ByTroubridge, J.; Lafontaine
Date Collected2003-07-28
UASM127949 - Schinia avemensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedUnited States: Colorado, Saguache county, Great Sand Dunes National Park (SAGCO)
Collected ByHarp, C.
Date Collected2006-08-10
UASM127951 - Schinia avemensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedUnited States: Colorado, Alamosa county, Great Sand Dunes National Park
Collected ByHarp, C.; Opler, P.
Date Collected2003-08-07
UASM127952 - Schinia avemensis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedUnited States: Colorado, Alamosa county, Great Sand Dunes National Park
Collected ByHarp, C.
Date Collected2006-08-09