Protogygia pallida

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

SeasonalityIn Alberta adults have been collected in late July and early August. IdentificationA medium-size (3.6-4.0 cm wingspan) immaculate creamy-white moth. The forewings including fringe are white. The hindwings are also white, with a variable fuscous wash, darker in females than males. Antennae in both sexes essentially filiform. Most likely to be confused with Copablepharon viridisparsum, which is larger, has a slight greenish cast to the forewings, and some evidence of a discal spot on the hindwings. The hindwings of viridisparsum usually have a grey patch in the center, variable in extent. Other white grasslands moths have at least some black markings (i.e. Cucillia luna) or bright orange on the forelegs and venter (i.e. Hyphantria cunea; Spilosoma congrua). This species was only recently described (2004); it was listed by Bowman as Copablepharon album.

Scientific Name Protogygia pallida Habitat Open sandy sagebrush grasslands. Seasonality In Alberta adults have been collected in late July and early August. Identification

A medium-size (3.6-4.0 cm wingspan) immaculate creamy-white moth. The forewings including fringe are white. The hindwings are also white, with a variable fuscous wash, darker in females than males. Antennae in both sexes essentially filiform. Most likely to be confused with Copablepharon viridisparsum, which is larger, has a slight greenish cast to the forewings, and some evidence of a discal spot on the hindwings. The hindwings of viridisparsum usually have a grey patch in the center, variable in extent. Other white grasslands moths have at least some black markings (i.e. Cucillia luna) or bright orange on the forelegs and venter (i.e. Hyphantria cunea; Spilosoma congrua). This species was only recently described (2004); it was listed by Bowman as Copablepharon album.

Life History Poorly known. Adults are nocturnal and are attracted to light. Conservation Known in Alberta (and Canada) only from several historical collections. Diet Info No information available. Range Southern Alberta south to southern Arizona and New Mexico, and northern Mexico, east to western Nebraska. In Alberta known only from the Lethbridge area.

Page Citation

"Protogygia pallida, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-5333. Accessed 21 May. 2022.

Kingdom Animalia Phylum Arthropoda Class Hexapoda Subclass Insecta Order Lepidoptera Suborder Ditrysia Superfamily Noctuoidea Family Noctuidae Subfamily Noctuinae Genus Protogygia Species Protogygia pallida

This hierarchy is created from our museum records, it may not always accurately reflect modern taxonomies.

Kingdom Animalia
- Phylum Arthropoda
  - Subphylum Chelicerata
    - Class Arachnida
  - Class Hexapoda
    - Subclass Insecta

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Species Details