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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

"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 21 May. 2022.

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom Animalia Phylum Arthropoda Class Hexapoda Subclass Insecta Order Lepidoptera Suborder Ditrysia Superfamily Noctuoidea Family Noctuidae Subfamily Acronictinae Genus Acronicta Species Acronicta cyanescens
This hierarchy is created from our museum records, it may not always accurately reflect modern taxonomies.

Taxonomic Hierarchy for University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum