SeasonalityAdults have been collected in Alberta from early July through late August.IdentificationA medium-size (3.6-4.0 cm wingspan) dark purplish-brown moth with a contrasting pale yellow streak running from the wing base before fading out just beyond the prominent pale yellow reniform spot. A jet-black basal streak runs below the yellow streak and incorporates the black claviform spot. The area between the pale streak and the costa is filled with black scales before, between and just beyond the orbicular and reniform. The costa is only very slightly paler than the wing ground except in some worn specimens, and the terminal third of the wing smooth and without any pattern except for a few pale scales indicating a subterminal line. The hindwings are mostly sooty brown, somewhat lighter in the basal half in males and darker in females. The similar Feltia jaculifera is paler, more patterned and has a contrasting pale yellow or buff costa.
Scientific NameFeltia herilisHabitat
Open areas such as croplands, grasslands, roadsides and meadows.
Seasonality
Adults have been collected in Alberta from early July through late August.
Identification
A medium-size (3.6-4.0 cm wingspan) dark purplish-brown moth with a contrasting pale yellow streak running from the wing base before fading out just beyond the prominent pale yellow reniform spot. A jet-black basal…
A medium-size (3.6-4.0 cm wingspan) dark purplish-brown moth with a contrasting pale yellow streak running from the wing base before fading out just beyond the prominent pale yellow reniform spot. A jet-black basal streak runs below the yellow streak and incorporates the black claviform spot. The area between the pale streak and the costa is filled with black scales before, between and just beyond the orbicular and reniform. The costa is only very slightly paler than the wing ground except in some worn specimens, and the terminal third of the wing smooth and without any pattern except for a few pale scales indicating a subterminal line. The hindwings are mostly sooty brown, somewhat lighter in the basal half in males and darker in females. The similar Feltia jaculifera is paler, more patterned and has a contrasting pale yellow or buff costa.
Life History
Adults are nocturnal and come to light. There is a single annual brood. The larvae are general feeders. F. herilis appears to prefer less arid habitats than jaculifera.
Conservation
A common widespread moth; no concerns.
Diet Info
A general feeder, including agricultural forage and vegetable crops.
Range
Vancouver Island to Newfoundland, north to the Northwest Territories border and south to the Gulf coast. Found throughout the settled parts of Alberta, including the mountains.
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Citation
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Page Citation for Feltia herilis
Page Citation
"Species Details - Feltia herilis, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-6071. Accessed 06 Dec. 2024.
References
AuthorLafontaine, J. Donald
TitleNoctuoidea : Noctuidae (part)
Publication Date2004
Pages385 pp.
Specimen Information
There are 181 specimens of this Species.
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181 results plotted on map in 61 markers. Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.