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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/2-500/9-3974. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
References
Author
Prentice, R. M.
Title
Forest Lepidoptera of Canada. (1962)
Publication Date
1962
Volume
2
Pages
281
Specimen Information
There are 195 specimens of this Species.
UASM187051 - Gluphisia septentrionis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Stittsville
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected2003-06-28
UASM187052 - Gluphisia septentrionis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Chilcotin River
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected1994-06-18
UASM187053 - Gluphisia septentrionis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Langley
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected1990-07-08/1990-07-14
UASM187054 - Gluphisia septentrionis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Peace River
Collected ByWalty, D.
Date Collected2003-06-07
UASM187055 - Gluphisia septentrionis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Bragg Creek
Collected BySperling, F. A. H.
Date Collected2006-07-07
UASM187056 - Gluphisia septentrionis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Bragg Creek
Collected BySperling, F. A. H.
Date Collected2005-07-06
UASM187057 - Gluphisia septentrionis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Itaska Beach
Collected BySperling, F. A. H.
Date Collected2005-07-01
UASM187058 - Gluphisia septentrionis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Peace River
Collected ByHood, B.
Date Collected2004-06-30
UASM187059 - Gluphisia septentrionis
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
UASM187060 - Gluphisia septentrionis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedUnited States: Washington, Yakima county, Oak Creek
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected1993-05-22
UASM187061 - Gluphisia septentrionis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedUnited States: Washington, Yakima county, Oak Creek
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected1993-05-22
UASM187062 - Gluphisia septentrionis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Walton Creek
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected1998-06-27
UASM187063 - Gluphisia septentrionis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Walton Creek
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected1998-06-27
UASM187064 - Gluphisia septentrionis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Walton Creek
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected1998-06-27
BIRD33700 - Gluphisia septentrionis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2010-06-12
BIRD33701 - Gluphisia septentrionis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Medicine Lake Recreation Area
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2010-06-27
BIRD33702 - Gluphisia septentrionis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2010-07-10
BIRD33703 - Gluphisia septentrionis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2010-07-31
JD6487 - Gluphisia septentrionis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Fort Steele
Collected ByDombroskie, J. J.; Brunet, B.
Date Collected2009-06-16
JD6600 - Gluphisia septentrionis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Claresholm
Collected ByDombroskie, J. J. et al
Date Collected2007-07-31
BIRD35088 - Gluphisia septentrionis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2011-05-21