Species Details
Acronicta cyanescens
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
SeasonalityCollected in Alberta in late June and early July.
IdentificationA medium-size (4.5-4.7 cm wingspan) powdery light grey moth with few markings. Forewing markings consist of a short, very fine black basal dash, a slightly larger black anal streak, a few dark scales marking the reniform and in some specimens traces of the postmedian line. The grey fringe is checked with black between the veins. The hind wings are dirty white, with darker grey-brown scales lining the veins and forming a thin terminal line. Antennae simple. Overall a very neat, clean looking moth compared to most Acronicta species. The closely related A. lepusculina is darker grey and has more prominent markings. Acronicta dactylina is also better marked, and lacks any trace of a basal streak.
Scientific Name
Acronicta cyanescens
Habitat
Dry montane forest
Seasonality
Collected in Alberta in late June and early July.
Identification
A medium-size (4.5-4.7 cm wingspan) powdery light grey moth with few markings. Forewing markings consist of a short, very fine black basal dash, a slightly larger black anal streak, a few dark scales marking the…
A medium-size (4.5-4.7 cm wingspan) powdery light grey moth with few markings. Forewing markings consist of a short, very fine black basal dash, a slightly larger black anal streak, a few dark scales marking the reniform and in some specimens traces of the postmedian line. The grey fringe is checked with black between the veins. The hind wings are dirty white, with darker grey-brown scales lining the veins and forming a thin terminal line. Antennae simple. Overall a very neat, clean looking moth compared to most Acronicta species. The closely related A. lepusculina is darker grey and has more prominent markings. Acronicta dactylina is also better marked, and lacks any trace of a basal streak.
Life History
Poorly known. Adults are nocturnal and come to light. There is a single annual brood.
Conservation
At the eastern edge of its range in extreme southwestern Alberta.
Diet Info
The only recorded larval host is snowbush (Ceanothus velutinus)(Miller and Hammond, 2003).
Range
Western North America, from extreme southwestern Alberta west, and south to New Mexico (Troubridge and Lafontaine, in prep.). In Alberta it has been collected in Waterton National Park and near the Alberta-BC…
Western North America, from extreme southwestern Alberta west, and south to New Mexico (Troubridge and Lafontaine, in prep.). In Alberta it has been collected in Waterton National Park and near the Alberta-BC boundary at Island Lake in the Crowsnest Pass.
Citation
Page Citation for Acronicta cyanescens
Page Citation
"Species Details - Acronicta cyanescens, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-5841. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
Specimen Information
There are 12 specimens of this Species.
BIRD7219 - Acronicta cyanescens
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Crowsnest Pass
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2001-06-29
UASM58571 - Acronicta cyanescens
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Waterton National Park
Collected BySchmidt, B. C.
Date Collected2005-07-07
UASM58572 - Acronicta cyanescens
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Waterton National Park
Collected BySchmidt, B. C.
Date Collected2005-07-07
UASM59268 - Acronicta cyanescens
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Yukon Territory, Whitehorse
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2006-07-12
UASM99520 - Acronicta cyanescens
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Waterton Lakes National Park
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2008-09-08
UASM163037 - Acronicta cyanescens
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Mount Kobau
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected1998-07-17
UASM163038 - Acronicta cyanescens
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Mount Kobau
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected1999-08-04
UASM163039 - Acronicta cyanescens
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Squamish
Collected ByHicks, S. D.
Date Collected1953-08-14
UASM163040 - Acronicta cyanescens
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Lillooet
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected1998-06-12
UASM163041 - Acronicta cyanescens
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Lillooet
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected1998-06-17
UASM163042 - Acronicta cyanescens
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Lillooet
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected1999-07-06
UASM163043 - Acronicta cyanescens
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Lillooet
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected1999-07-10