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Species Details

Gluphisia septentrionis

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

Common NameSmall Pebble, Common Gluphisia SeasonalityAdults are on the wing from late May through early September. IdentificationA small to medium-sized (2.5-3.3 cm. wingspan) round-winged dark grey and brown moth. The normal lines are darker and somewhat diffuse, with the antemedian line straight and the postmedian line concave in two waves. The basal and median areas have yellowish or buff shading and few to many raised black scales (these scales absent in all other Gluphisia sp.). The hindwings are dark like the forewings. The male antennae are broadly pectinate, narrowly so in female. All other Gluphisia sp. fly only in spring, and are significantly larger. Specimens from the boreal forest and parklands are darker and contrasting; those from the valleys of the arid plains are much paler and less contrasting.
Scientific Name Gluphisia septentrionis Common Name Small Pebble, Common Gluphisia Habitat Poplar forest and mixedwood forest with poplar. Seasonality Adults are on the wing from late May through early September. Identification
A small to medium-sized (2.5-3.3 cm. wingspan) round-winged dark grey and brown moth. The normal lines are darker and somewhat diffuse, with the antemedian line straight and the postmedian line concave in two waves.…
A small to medium-sized (2.5-3.3 cm. wingspan) round-winged dark grey and brown moth. The normal lines are darker and somewhat diffuse, with the antemedian line straight and the postmedian line concave in two waves. The basal and median areas have yellowish or buff shading and few to many raised black scales (these scales absent in all other Gluphisia sp.). The hindwings are dark like the forewings. The male antennae are broadly pectinate, narrowly so in female. All other Gluphisia sp. fly only in spring, and are significantly larger. Specimens from the boreal forest and parklands are darker and contrasting; those from the valleys of the arid plains are much paler and less contrasting.
Life History The adults are nocturnal and come to light. The larvae are solitary defoliators. They overwinter as pupae. There is either a staggered extended emergence, or two overlapping broods. Conservation A common, widespread species. No concerns. Diet Info No specific Alberta data available; elsewhere in Canada poplars (Populus sp.), in particular Trembling aspen (P. tremuloides) and Balsam poplar (P. balsamifera). Range
From Nova Scotia west to Vancouver Island, north to Hudson's Bay, south to Georgia and California. Found throughout Alberta wherever poplars occur, from the river valleys of the arid plains north through the Boreal…
From Nova Scotia west to Vancouver Island, north to Hudson's Bay, south to Georgia and California. Found throughout Alberta wherever poplars occur, from the river valleys of the arid plains north through the Boreal forest, and into the mountains.

Citation

Page Citation for Gluphisia septentrionis

Page Citation

"Species Details - Gluphisia septentrionis, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-500/9-250256. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

References