Species Details
Oligocentria pallida
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NamePale Prominent
SeasonalityThe only Alberta specimen was collected in early August.
IdentificationA medium-large (4.6-4.8 cm wingspan), pale rusty brown and tan moth, with few markings. Markings on the forewings consist of a thin dark vertical line at the end of the cell and some dark rust or maroon along the wing base and the anal angle. The outer two-thirds of the costa is grey, with a pair of short, parallel horizontal streaks near the apex. The hindwings are pale yellow or tan (male) or grey (female) with a dark patch marking the anal angle. Sexes similar, but females larger and darker. Other species of Alberta Oligocentria lack the prominent rusty-red coloring of pallida.
Scientific Name
Oligocentria pallida
Common Name
Pale Prominent
Habitat
Dry deciduous and mixedwood woodland.
Seasonality
The only Alberta specimen was collected in early August.
Identification
A medium-large (4.6-4.8 cm wingspan), pale rusty brown and tan moth, with few markings. Markings on the forewings consist of a thin dark vertical line at the end of the cell and some dark rust or maroon along the…
A medium-large (4.6-4.8 cm wingspan), pale rusty brown and tan moth, with few markings. Markings on the forewings consist of a thin dark vertical line at the end of the cell and some dark rust or maroon along the wing base and the anal angle. The outer two-thirds of the costa is grey, with a pair of short, parallel horizontal streaks near the apex. The hindwings are pale yellow or tan (male) or grey (female) with a dark patch marking the anal angle. Sexes similar, but females larger and darker. Other species of Alberta Oligocentria lack the prominent rusty-red coloring of pallida.
Life History
Poorly known. Larvae are solitary defoliators, and there is a single annual brood. Adults come to light.
Conservation
Barely reaches extreme southwest Alberta; known in AB from a single collection.
Diet Info
No Alberta data; elsewhere reported to feed on willow (Salix), apple (Malus), maple (Acer) and poplar (Populus) (Miller and Hammond, 2000.); also rose (Rosa) and saskatoon (Amelanchier) (Jones, 1951).
No Alberta data; elsewhere reported to feed on willow (Salix), apple (Malus), maple (Acer) and poplar (Populus) (Miller and Hammond, 2000.); also rose (Rosa) and saskatoon (Amelanchier) (Jones, 1951).
Range
The mountains of extreme southwestern Alberta, west to Vancouver Island; southward.
Citation
Page Citation for Oligocentria pallida
Page Citation
"Species Details - Oligocentria pallida, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-4916. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.
References
Author
Jones, J. R. J. Llewellyn
Title
An annotated check list of the Macrolepidoptera of British Columbia.
Publication Date
1951
Volume
1
Author
Miller, J. C. and P. Hammond
Title
Macromoths of the Northwest Forests and Woodlands.
Publication Date
2000
Pages
133
Specimen Information
There are 14 specimens of this Species.
UASM58309 - Oligocentria pallida
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Gabriola Island, Taylor Bay
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected1988-07-14
UASM99112 - Oligocentria pallida
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Waterton Lakes National Park
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2007-08-20
UASM99513 - Oligocentria pallida
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Waterton Lakes National Park
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2008-09-08
UASM210681 - Oligocentria pallida
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Blue River
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected1990-07-13
UASM210686 - Oligocentria pallida
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Mount Kobau
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected1999-08-20
UASM186770 - Oligocentria pallida
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedUnited States: Oregon, Josephine county, Bolan Mountain
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected2001-07-27
UASM186771 - Oligocentria pallida
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Mount Kobau
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected1999-08-04
UASM186772 - Oligocentria pallida
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Mount Kobau
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected1999-08-20
UASM186773 - Oligocentria pallida
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Mount Kobau
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected1999-08-20
UASM186774 - Oligocentria pallida
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Cranbrook
Collected ByJanz, L.
Date Collected1991-08-11
UASM186775 - Oligocentria pallida
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Cranbrook
Collected ByJanz, L.
Date Collected1991-08-13
UASM186776 - Oligocentria pallida
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedUnited States: Washington, Yakima county, Bethel Ridge
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected1999-08-21
UASM186777 - Oligocentria pallida
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Waterton Lakes National Park, Bellevue Hill
Collected BySchmidt, B. C.
Date Collected2005-07-07
UASM186778 - Oligocentria pallida
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Cranbrook
Collected ByL. J. J.
Date Collected1921-07-16